Mental health concerns among public health professionals are prevalent. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, public health professionals experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The study found that the prevalence of depression among public health professionals was 24%, compared to 16% in the general population.
The Region IV Public Health Training Center (PHTC) provides training for emerging public health leaders in the eight states that comprise HHS Region IV: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
To assist the public health workforce in addressing mental health concerns among staff, the Region IV Public Health Training Center has created a list of mental health resources, including trainings, toolkits, on-demand webinars, and more from the Region IV PHTC, the Public Health Training Center Network, and other organizations.
ARTICLES AND BOOKS
Articles
- 7 Solutions to Protect Public Health Workers from Burnout and Mental Health Issues (National Public Health Information Coalition)
- Resiliency Within the Workforce (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO))
Books
- Radical Candor (Author: Kim Scott)
FRAMEWORKS. TOOLKITS, PODCASTS AND CENTERS
FRAMEWORKS
- Burnout and Moral Injury Framework (PH Hero Workforce Resource Center, George Washington University)
TOOLKITS
- Self-Care Toolkit for Mental Health Professionals (National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network)
- Joy in Work Toolkit (National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))
PODCASTS
- Redefining Rest for Public Health Professionals (Marissa McKool, MPH)
CENTERS
- PH-Hero Workforce Resource Center (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO))
SELF-PACED TRAININGS
- Understanding and Preventing Burnout Among Public Health Workers: Guidance for Public Health Leaders (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH))
- Psychological Wellbeing for Health and Care Workers (Xerte Online Toolkits)
- Towards a Healthy Workplace Culture: Management Strategies and Tools (Western Region Public Health Training Center)
- Creating a Health and Fair Workplace Culture (Western Regional Public Health Training Center)
- Building a Culture of Resilience (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO))
VIRTUAL MEETINGS
- 2024, Take a Break: Social Support for the Public Health Workforce – Monthy Meetings (Mid-Atlantic Public Health Training Center) *Series is free, but requires creation of a login.
ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
- Who’s Got Your Back? Psychological Awareness and Team Support (American College of Emergency Physicians)
- Self-Care in Healthcare (Region IV Public Health Training Center)
- Supporting the Wellbeing of Mental Health (Veterans Health Administration – Institute for Learning, Education and Development)
- “Upstream Approaches” to Build Resiliency: Organizational and Leadership Strategies (National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))
- Finding HOPE Through Crisis: Managing Stress and Supporting Optimism (National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))
- Flourishing Through Adversity: How Can Stress and Emotional Experiences Make Us Resilient and Avoid Burnout (Region 2 Public Health Training Center)
- Healer, Heal Thyself: Tools for Wellness and Self-Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Region IV Public Health Training Center)
- Ready for Resilience: Supporting the Workforce (Public Health Learning Navigator)
- Provider Strategies for Coping with Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress (Veterans Administration)
- The Community Resiliency Model (CRM) as a Self-Care Practice (Emory Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network)
- Building Workforce Resilience Through the Practice of Psychological First Aid: A Course for Leaders and Teams ((National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))
- Dealing with Stress and Burnout in the Digital Age (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO))
- Project Management for Public Health Professionals Webinar Series (Mid-Atlantic Public Health Training Center) *Series is free, but requires creation of a login.
- Mental Health and the Public Health Workforce (Northwest Center for Public Health Practice)
- Organizational Resilience and Making Meaning: During COVID-19 and Beyond (National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO))