Updated: Mar 24, 2020
Dear Colleagues
It will come as no surprise to any of you that we are about to face some hard times. Whether that is at home with friends and family or at work with colleagues and patients. There will be many of you who are scared. There will be many of you who are confused. These are normal emotions to feel at a time like this.
It is OK to not be OK!
-TALK to someone. If you’re struggling, stressed or sad then talk to someone. If you’re in isolation, then video calling can be just as good.
-Look out for each other and your on-call teams. Everyone will be going through their own version of the same fears and stresses that you’ll be going through. Check on your colleagues before you go home.
- In the medical profession we use dark humour a lot to help us process the world around us. Please just think about those around you – it’s not always obvious what they’re dealing with.
-Don’t forget about the basics. Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy. Looking after your physical health is as important as your mental health. They’re two sides of the same coin.
- Take any days off you can to rest and recharge
-Don’t forget your usual ways of accessing support
Speaking to friends and family
Speak to your teams, your registrars and consultants, your Educational Supervisor, your Training Programme Director or Associate Director of Medical Education for Support or equivalent (your PGME will know!)
Speak to us at: help@welldoctors.org
Speak to your GP surgery - they will likely still be open but triaging over the phone
Speak to the BMA Counselling hot line 24/7 on 0330 123 1245 – open to non-BMA members too
Speak to the Practitioner Health Programme crisis text line 24/7 – text NHSPH to 85258