COVID Chronicle June 2021

Coming Through The physical challenges of the past year have been well chronicled, the collective emotional trauma is something that will need to be addressed. In our last issues of the COVID Chronicle, we talked about the continued work of Northern Light Acadia Hospital to serve our patients, communities, and our staff. Healthy Life Resources, powered by Northern Light Acadia Hospital, was launched to complement services offered by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). With expertise in helping people exposed to prolonged stress, anxiety, and trauma, the program offers a comprehensive, coordinated, and actionable set of supports for all employees to promote their overall well-being, and support a strong and functional workforce throughout and following this outbreak. The resource coordinates services locally at each Northern Light Health member to respect the needs and culture of each organization.

Support. Resiliency. Connection.

The Healthy Life Resources program has been so successful that it is now being offered to local businesses, schools, and other organizations as a service line. Program offerings include: • myStrength: self-guided support: a secure tool that connects employees with hundreds of self-care resources, including mental wellness coaching. • Training from mental health experts: web- based training for leaders and staff, focused on mental health. • Group support: virtual employee wellness offerings in a group setting including yoga, group exercise, support groups provided by EAP, and more. • Crisis management briefings: 15-minute meetings at the beginning and end of shifts, focused on maintaining employee wellness, minimizing anxiety, and retaining productivity. • Critical incident and stress management: on-demand debriefing, provided by Northern Light Acadia Hospital clinical experts, when a department or organization experiences a localized, acutely stressful event.

“Healthy Life Resources has provided tremendous support over the past 14+ months. A highly competent team of professionals led by Angela Fileccia has engaged both staff and leaders in conversations covering a range of topics. We have provided several opportunities for leaders and staff to learn strategies to increase resiliency, techniques to combat burnout, and mechanisms for coping with work and family stress. In addition, the MyStrength app has been welcomed support for Home Care & Hospice’s workforce, 90% of which are remote workers.”

Jane McGillicuddy RN, SHRM-SCP Director Human Resources, Northern Light Home Care & Hospice

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