The Importance of Staying Connected During the Pandemic

Article By: Jenna Rosenau, LCSW

While seeing clients through A Better Life Therapy, I also have the pleasure of working in a local children’s hospital. As I work alongside countless hard working healthcare professionals, I am reminded daily of the importance of mental health, especially during the global pandemic. While some people are working from home, frontline workers are going to work, making a difference in the lives of their patients.   

Travel nurses and other traveling healthcare professionals are often limited in their ability to find normalcy. Travel healthcare professionals tend to be isolated from family, friends and other external support systems. It is extremely important for travel healthcare professionals to receive outside support. Isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression have been common themes for individuals living through this pandemic. For individuals doing this all alone, with limited support, lack of normalcy and a stressful work assignment, can be detrimental to one’s mental health. While life may temporarily be different and/or stressful, travel healthcare professionals should try to remain connected to their supports as much as they can. Travel healthcare professionals can do this by looking into local therapy resources to inquire about tele-therapy, connect with other travel healthcare professionals and remain connected with close family and friends.

Ways to stay connected and supported:

Find a therapist who does online sessions!

I recommend this platform to start- Psychologytoday.com

Simply enter your current zip code and ask if they do online therapy.

Talk with your fellow travel healthcare professionals and see what they are doing to feel supported. Connect with them!

Connect or reconnect with your friends and family at home. Schedule phone calls, FaceTime calls and zoom calls. If Friday night was game night when you were living at home, see if you can recreate this virtually!   

Philadelphia therapist

Jenna is a therapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at A Better Life Therapy. Jenna supports individuals, couples, and families overcome anxiety and depression. She specializes in those struggling with the impact of chronic or sudden illness and has extensive experience working with those navigating the stress, grief, and frustration of the medical system.

To read more about Jenna click here.