Whether you started working the frontlines pre or post-Covid; Mental Health is a huge factor that seems to be slept on. The general public seems to forget that as Healthcare professionals we have a lot weighing on our shoulders, daily.
We are the shoulders people cry on. We are brothers, sisters, moms, dads, friends, and confidants to patients and families. These people share their deepest concerns and fears as well as their celebrations and joys. This in turn takes us on a rollercoaster ride from room to room and patient to patient.
We are taught to not let it show and hang tough. But sometimes we crack, and that's ok. Do you hear me? That. is. Ok! We are allowed to break and have moments. That is why we need to take care of our mental health constantly. Talking to a therapist, utilizing coping skills, taking meds if need be. These things are important to keep us going and caring for the ones we all care about.
Let us all make a promise to ourselves to practice self-care and to remind the ones around us to do the same.