The coronavirus pandemic has impacted and tested the world’s resolve in ways never before imagined. Disaster planning and exercise drills have been conducted around biological threats for many years, but no one envisioned the scope of the problem being as large as what we are facing today. No one is outside the reach of this threat. People cannot use the common defense mechanism of “that can never happen to me – it’s not my problem.” This time, it’s everyone’s problem.
Because of the nature and scope of the issue, this pandemic has created – and continues to create – significant psychological and emotional challenges for many. Fighting a “faceless” adversary makes it even more complicated. Many people have found that their work responsibilities have significantly changed, placing large numbers of them into the role of “first responder” – a role for which they are unprepared, yet have taken on with determination and commitment in service to others. From the traditional first responder including military personnel, to healthcare workers, food and service industry employees, and any anyone else who comes into contact with the public, workers are faced with the risk of contracting the virus and possibly bringing it home to their families without knowing it. Measures that have been taken to combat the virus such as social distancing and self-quarantine have made managing the stress of this fight even more difficult.
This pandemic has also created a host of other challenges. Having countries become functionally “shut-down” has created significant financial problems for many. Employment in many areas has been put on hold, diminished, or lost completely. The inability to have common social gatherings, like graduations, sporting events, wakes/funerals, religious services, and even simple gatherings of friends and families has disrupted many of our social norms. These changes have taken away many of the methods we use for our stress management.
Current projections show that we have yet to see the peak of the impact of this event. As a result, the associated stress reactions will continue to be a challenge, and may in fact escalate. So, what can we do to manage this level of stress? How do we remain resilient in the face of this life-threatening event? How do we care for ourselves and our families?
It is important for people to be empowered to make informed decisions about their lives. Whether someone is trying to improve personally, or working to support and enhance their organization, information on how to best accomplish that goal is essential. At NPSS, we want to support those efforts.
There is a wealth of information – of varying degrees of usefulness – available to us through means such as the media, internet, and educational outlets. We have researched many of these sources, and when combined with real-world experience, have compiled what we offer here to ensure that the presented content is timely, relevant, and credible. While it may not apply to every situation or for everyone, we have found these suggestions have helped many people who have integrated the information into their lives.
We will be offering this information in a variety of formats, from downloadable forms and reference sheets, to video-supported media, to links to other agencies. We will be enhancing and expanding this section on a continuing basis, so check back frequently for new information and materials.
NPSS and Quantum Wellness Concepts have collaborated to develop resources, suggestions, and tips to help manage these challenges, including live telehealth support. While there are no absolutes, these resources may help in taking the edge off of this unique time in our world history.
Together, we can get through this. While the road will not be easy, it can be navigated.
For telehealth support, contact us at https://npssinc.org/contact-us/
For downloadable resources click here: https://npssinc.org/downloads/