Resources for your personal well-being
This time of year can be difficult as the days grow shorter, the sky seems to be grey a lot of the time, and a look outside reminds us that winter is almost here. It’s also the season when some religions and cultures set aside time to remember the people and generations who have gone before us. If those rituals are part of your tradition, or if you have lost loved ones in the past year, I encourage you to mark the occasion by honoring their memory.
On top of the broader societal experience of grief, loss and transition this fall, we have had some additional heaviness. Our daily work puts us face to face with the hard realities of human suffering. And closer to home, we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of two EMS colleagues, one at HealthEast and one here in Allina.
It’s important to acknowledge the emotional weight we carry, and to find healthy ways to keep our lives in balance. There is no one-size-fits-all to self-care, but some are obvious – get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, tend to your own spirituality, take time to be with loved ones doing things you enjoy, turn to your support network when things get heavy.
Finally, know that there are resources available if needed or wanted.
Support can be found at the Allina Health Mental Health website. This page is full of resources which Allina offers to the community, including employees.
Sharon Sinclair, manager, Allina Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is well versed in the mental health benefits for the Allina Health First plan, which is what most people have. She can also recommend therapists. Sharon can be reached at 612-863-3412 or by sending Sharon an email.
If you want a coverage chart of your own plan, sign into My Allina. On the left hand side of the home page, under a heading “Additional Information” there is a button for “Summary Plan Descriptions and Contracts.” Clicking on this allows you to choose the information on your plan and include coverage charts that have sections on mental health and chemical health.
Here are some national resources for EMS personnel with 24/7 helplines:
- SafeCallNow: 206-459-3020
- Fire/EMS Helpline: 888-731-3473
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Additional resources are available at
The Code Green Campaign and at these social media sites:
http://www.facebook.com/thecodegreencampaign
http://www.twitter.com/codegreenems
http://www.instagram.com/thecodegreencampaign
Take care, and feel free to contact me as well.
Russ
______________________________
Russell Myers, D.Min., BCC
Chaplain • Allina Health EMS and Security
Mail route 54000 • 167 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102
[email protected]
Phone: 651-241-4403 • Mobile: 651-263-5492