STONY BROOK, NY, August 26, 2020 – Healthcare workers who have been battling Covid-19 for months on clinical floors, in emergency rooms, and on Covid-19 units need to keep their physical and mental health in check as we enter other phases of the pandemic. Stony Brook Medicine recently opened an environment of support for its healthcare workers called “Resilience at the Brook” at Stony Brook University Hospital. The creation of a permanent respite room, a peaceful area featuring plants, calming wall art, privacy areas and meditation and relaxing materials has brought rejuvenation to some employees. During the pandemic, we saw more than 19,600 visits to the temporary employee respite area. 
An entire Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) program devoted to a series of mental health support initiatives for healthcare workers has been running since the height of the pandemic. The program, led by Dr. Adam Gonzalez, is an interdisciplinary effort that includes daily mindfulness practices, support groups and spiritual care. The program is highlighted in a recently published peer review paper and may serve as a model for other healthcare institutions. For more information, see this link.
Dr. Gonzalez and colleagues can speak to the mental health support initiative and how it is helping Stony Brook’s healthcare workers remain mentally strong and resilient during these times. Employees can also speak to their experiences in the respite room and how mental health support has assisted them in their continued mission to beat Covid-19.
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