Championing a culture of well-being: supporting caregivers’ mental health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health care workers report higher levels of poor mental health and burnout.  

Providence is taking proactive steps to address burnout and to support caregiver well-being through programs like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training, one of several wellness programs provided at no cost to all Providence caregivers. 

Lauren Weber, clinical research assistant at Providence Medical Group Santa Rosa -Clinical Trials, described MHFA training as a valuable and a much-needed resource for caregivers. The training provides participants with insights to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health concerns and offer support.  

“One key takeaway from this training is being able to recognize if someone is struggling and feeling comfortable approaching someone who may be struggling with a mental health concern,” Weber said.   

Through MHFA, Providence caregivers develop skills needed to reach out and provide support to a colleague at work, a family member, or friend who may be dealing with a mental health concern. It’s one of several mental wellness programs supported by Providence’s Well Being Trust to support the mental health and well-being of Providence’s 122,000 caregivers. 

“This training educates health care workers about mental health, and it helps to break down misconceptions and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness,” said Ryan Dix, PsyD, director of behavioral health, Providence’s Well Being Trust. 

He added, “This creates a more open and supportive workplace culture where our caregivers feel more comfortable discussing their mental health concerns and seeking help when needed.”