UNMC and Nebraska Medicine recognize the extraordinary pressure colleagues are feeling as they prepare for a potential surge of highly contagious and critically ill patients.
Changes in workflow and responsibilities while dealing with personal wellbeing and family needs compounds this stress. Many are experiencing anxiety, fear, exhaustion, sadness, insomnia or are just feeling “off.”
Nebraska Medicine/UNMC is committed to taking care of its colleagues during this challenging time. The pandemic planning process includes behavioral health resource considerations not just for patients and family members, but also staff, faculty and students.
For workgroups/teams who would like to learn wellness and stress management tips, managers can request a 45-minute interactive workshop with one of the medical center’s behavioral health response team members.
For colleagues who’d like 1:1 peer support, Nebraska Medicine’s confidential PINS (Peers in Need of Support) program is available. All colleagues will be matched with one of our behavioral health responders, made up of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, staff chaplains and other trained staff. This is not formal evaluation or treatment, but a supportive peer to listen, offer suggestions, share resources and make referrals when needed. Physicians seeking support will be matched with a trained physician from another department.
Requests for wellness workshops (by managers) and 1:1 support (by colleagues themselves) should be made via email to pins@nebraskamed.com.
Requests will be handled confidentially and are separate from HR, One Chart or other record-keeping systems.
Free counseling and support services also are available through the UNMC Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers counseling resources through Arbor Family Counseling.
House Officers
UNMC’s House Officer Assistance Program (HOAP) offers confidential services for house officers struggling with stress, burnout or other wellness challenges. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no fees, no insurance filing and no electronic health records. House officers can call or text Susan Smith at 402-689-1033 to set up a confidential appointment or to visit on the phone. Smith also is available to go into departments to meet with resident groups to offer educational information on managing stress during difficult times, recognizing a colleague in need and other issues. Program directors and program coordinators can contact Smith directly to set up a time to meet with residents.
Students
The UNMC Counseling and Student Development Center offers comprehensive counseling services available to all UNMC students and residents. This includes academic performance enhancement, communication and behavioral consultations, and a wide range of personal/psychological counseling services. All of these programs are confidential and free-of-charge. Medical referrals are also available.
Counseling services are provided free-of-charge to currently enrolled UNMC students and residents. Appointments may be made by calling 402-559-7276. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Late afternoon appointments (5-6 p.m.) are available with advanced arrangement.