Nevada Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

First Responder Wellness

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK

Recent studies and reports are finding that frontline healthcare workers providing care to patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, are experiencing increased stress and heightened symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress.

The stressors first responders and healthcare workers may experience include:

Extended shifts and high patient care demands
Shifting local, national, and international knowledge about COVID-19
Changing recommendations from government and healthcare leaders
Inability to obtain PPE due to ongoing shortages
Concern about one’s own and loved ones’ health and safety

Signs and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue

Physical and emotional exhaustion that can be experienced with fatigue, illness, fear, withdrawal, guilt
Increased drug and alcohol use
Decrease sense of satisfaction/enjoyment with work
Impaired ability to make decision and care for patients
Feelings of anger and irritability, fear, withdrawal, guilt, grief, anxiety, sadness
Reduced ability to feel sympathy and empathy
Increased absences from work

Taking care of yourself during the COVID-19 outbreak:

Learn the symptoms of burnout and compassion and notice when they are present in yourself or others.
Make time and find opportunities for downtime and relaxation.
Identify moments and small periods of time for simple self-care activities that you enjoy, such as spending time speaking with friends and family, exercising, reading a book, or taking a bath.
Reduce your intake of media coverage and updates about COVID-19.
Talk to a peer, supervisor, or human resources personnel about your feelings and stress.
Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or concerned that COVID-19 is affecting your ability to care for your family and patients as you did before the outbreak.
Acknowledge tough situations and recognize accomplishments, even the smallest ones.
Write in a journal.
Limit caffeine or alcohol.

It is important to remind yourself:

It’s okay to draw boundaries and say “no”
Taking breaks is not selfish
Your own needs and well-being are just as important as those you care for—you can’t take care of others without first taking care of yourself
Working all of the time does not equate to your best contribution
You are not alone, other people can help in the response as well

Get Help

If you are in need of assistance in obtaining counseling and support, please reach out to your Employee Assistance Program available at all hospitals, EMS/Fire Agencies, and law enforcement departments in Nevada.

National Crisis Call Lines

Copline (Law Enforcement Only)

A confidential helpline for members of U.S. law enforcement. Their website also has additional information on help and resources.

800-267-5463

https://copline.org/

Fire/EMS Helpline

Also known as Share The Load. A program run by the National Volunteer Fire Council. They have a help line, text based help service, and have also collected a list of many good resources for people looking for help and support.

888-731-34731

https://www.nvfc.org/

Frontline Helpline

Run by Frontline Responder Services. Offer 24/7 coverage with first responder call-takers.

866-676-7500

https://frontlinerehab.com/

National Domestic Violence Hotline

National Domestic Violence Hotline has highly trained expert advocates who are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the U.S. who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

800-799-7233

https://www.thehotline.org/

Safe Call

A 24/7 help line staffed by first responders for first responders and their family members. They can assist with treatment options for responders who are suffering from mental health, substance abuse and other personal issues.

206-459-3020

https://www.safecallnow.org/

Disaster Distress Helpline supported by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA)

Provides disaster counseling services to begin the process of recovery.

800-985-5990

Text 66746 (TTY 800-846-8517)

https://www.safecallnow.org/

Nevada HealthCARES Warmline

Nevada HealthCARES Warmline is a toll-free phone line, administered by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Medicine, in partnership with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), will serve as a confidential mental health resource for health care professionals to seek support before they have reached a crisis point.

State and Regional Crisis Lines

Crisis Support Services of Nevada

800-273-8255

Text “CARE” to 839863

https://cssnv.org/

Statewide crisis line provides support 24/7 365 days a year for individuals of all ages in any type of crisis. Call 800-273-8255 (TALK)

NAMI Warmline:

A non-crisis number supported by the Western Nevada chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for anyone who needs someone to listen or text

775-241-4212

https://namiwesternnevada.org/warmline/

Mobile Crisis Response Team (for youth)

Provides telephone triage, mobile crisis response, and crisis stabilization across Nevada.

Northern: 775-688-1670; Southern: 702-486-7865

http://knowcrisis.com/

Crisis Hotline: 24/7.
Outreach Services available: Monday- Friday 9 am- 6pm, 7 days/ week excluding holidays

CARE Team (Rural Nevada adults)

For adults needing immediate mental health care, available 9 am–6 pm, 7 days a week.

877-283-2437

National Online Resources for First Responders

VALOR Officer Safety APP

Promotes mental and physical preparation for officers. Available via Apple App Store or Google Play:

https://www.valorforblue.org/VALOR-App

1st Help

Offers quick access to resources based on a range of topics, including mental health for LE. Officers go to the website, answer a few questions, then access a database of information. Additionally, they will ship free resource cards to any individual or department that would like to hand them out.

https://1sthelp.net/

Armor Up

Links to the Safe Call 24-hour hotline, in addition to prevention, training and education related to trauma.

https://armorupnow.org/

Other Resources

Carson Tahoe

Currently offering half an hour stress management groups several times per week via Zoom.

https://www.facebook.com/carsontahoe/ and click on the “Events” section.

Community Chest

Currently offering half an hour stress management groups several times per week via Zoom.

775-297-1267

https://communitychestnevada.net/

Spiritual Care Association

Chaplaincy in the Time of COVID-19 is a resource developed by the Spiritual Care Association to provide guidance, knowledge, and examples
from the field to provide effective chaplaincy spiritual care to those people who have been impacted the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

https://spiritualcareassociation.org/coronavirus