Robust program takes care of the mental health of Pequeno Príncipe’s staff

In another humanization initiative focused in the internal public, the institution listens, welcomes and guides teams on the main questions and fears related to the coronavirus

The World Health Organization (WHO) has made an important warning about the mental health crisis that the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) may cause worldwide. Aware of and aligned with the institutional guideline for valuing its employees, Pequeno Príncipe Hospital has structured a robust mental health care program for its teams. This is another humanization initiative focused in the internal public. Only then we take care of them and guarantee the integrity of those who provide qualified assistance.

Through this program, daily listening sessions are being carried out in all departments of the institution, in addition to psychological assistance to the teams, especially those professionals who are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. “We made an institutional diagnosis to understand the main difficulties, concerns and doubts, so that we can think about how to act and support,” explains the psychologist of Pequeno Príncipe, Bruno Jardini Mäder.

From the diagnosis, the teams of the Psychology Service and the Humanization Center designed a plan with three different approaches: the first, with regard to protection, and the second, to address issues and clarify internal flows, protocols and patient care. And, finally, self-care and psychosocial issues, such as fear of contaminating family members, for example. “We are meeting the needs of each employee and they feel valued and listened to, which is essential at this time,” emphasizes the coordinator of the Humanization Center, Maria Gloss.

Multidisciplinary work
In order to guarantee the success of the task force for the well-being of all, it was necessary to structure a multidisciplinary team. In addition to the Psychology Service and the Humanization Center, the Pequeno Príncipe Employee Service Center (CAC PP), the Specialized Service in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine (SESMT), the Quality Center, the Nursing Continuing Education team, the Social Service and the Hospital Infection Control and Epidemiology Service (SECIH) are part of this effort.

The multidisciplinary teams do rounds in all the departments to make an active listening; that is, they gather the main questions to be worked on in each sector, and work on the necessary answers. “Gradually, we joined all the information in one document. Doubts about flows, protocols and risks have decreased and the teams are more confident,” reinforces Mäder. Until June 30, 802 listening sessions, 104 articulation meetings, 12 planning meetings and 18 individual appointments were held.

For those who need individualized assistance, the Psychology Service is offering individual sessions at different times, either in person or via digital platforms, allowing access to this care for all employees of the institution. A group from the Psychology graduate course from Pequeno Príncipe College also reinforces the team for this type of care. The Employee Service Center offers psychotherapy sessions, with volunteer professionals.

The Nursing Continuing Education team, aligned with the SECIH and the Quality Center, has already carried out more than 40 trainings, which exceeded a thousand hours of training, especially on PPE dressing and undressing, which are critical moments in self-care.

The Employee Service Center has enabled several types of activities focused in the well-being, from psychotherapy sessions to online sports activities.

Acknowledgement from the society
Society is also concerned with caring for those who care. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been countless demonstrations of affection and care from companies, individuals and organizations towards Pequeno Príncipe’s staff. In Eastertime, for example, several companies sent chocolate eggs to be distributed to teams on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.

Over the months, there were also several deliveries of gel alcohol in individual packages, which employees were able to take home, and protective masks.

The affection can also be perceived through serenades, musical performances and even religious celebrations, always held on the sidewalks or other open areas of the institution – avoiding crowds – that comforted the professionals and also reached the families and patients under treatment.

Take care of your mental health
Here are some tips on how to take care of mental health in this pandemic time:
• control your breathing;
• practice optimism and thank for the little things in your day;
• remember good memories;
• search for reliable information;
• avoid denying reality;
• face adversity consciously;
• realize that we tend to see things worse than they really are;
• if necessary, seek for support from a specialized professional.

Check the message from journalist Mila Burns to Pequeno Principe’s team:

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