May is Mental Health Awareness Month
How much do you know about your mental health?
Mental health conditions can affect anyone. At least one out of every five people likely experienced anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions in the last year. (https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/its-okay-not-be-okay-tips-resources-mental-health-awareness-month)
Working in the healthcare industry exposes you to being more vulnerable to certain conditions that affect your mental health such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Nurses are two to four times more likely to experience this if they have been a victim of workplace violence. (https://nursejournal.org/resources/covid-nurse-workplace-violence)
In order to manage these conditions, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms we see in ourselves and our colleagues. The first thing you should do is notice when there are changes in your colleague’s behavior. Has this person been acting differently than they usually do (emotions, appearance, etc.)? Second, have a conversation. Find the appropriate space and time to discuss what you have noticed recently. Express your concern. Lastly, listen effectively. More than likely, if this person is in crisis, they need someone who will listen nonjudgmentally. By picking up on these signs and signals, you can help our workplace be safer and one that supports our patients more effectively. (Mental Health First Aid)
If you are in a mental health crisis and you are uncertain about how to proceed, please call 988 or go to your nearest emergency room. For Local assistance, contact Sutter Center for Psychiatry's 24-7 Crisis Line at (916) 386-3620 or the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic in Sacramento at (916) 520-2460 (Open 24/7).
Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741
We also have a few resources that are offered by UC Davis exclusively:
ASAP: hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/asap
Counselor drop-ins: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_byI2jDrEAPyQzMa?Q_CHL=qr
Support U Peer Responder Program: clinicalwellbeing@ucdavis.edu
Classes: We offer Mental Health First Aid classes to everyone at UC Davis through Zoom. Here is a link to sign up for one of our classes: UC Learning Center
Our website: hr.ucdavis.edu/prevent-workplace-violence
Workplace Violence Prevention Program
- Reporting Workplace Violence
- Training & Preventing Workplace Violence
- Resources & Support
- About Workplace Violence & Tools
Contact the Workplace Violence Prevention Unit: