Leaders must consider the behavioral health and mental/physical resiliency of health providers and staff responding to an outbreak, as well as that of COVID-19 patients and the general population, who are experiencing major life-style changes and isolation. A number of tools and resources have been provided for leaders to respond to behavioral health concerns and improve resiliency. Forward stationed medics/medical teams are encouraged to reach back locally to Role 2/Role 3 facilities, where behavioral health resources may be stationed, utilize chaplain services, and telehealth resources to connect persons in need with help.

Special considerations for behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

1. Prolonged isolation of COVID-19 designated staff and patients.
2. Disruption of non-duty activities and resiliency behaviors (e.g., physical activity, rest/relaxation).
3. Risk for minimal work/rest cycles due to potentially overwhelming numbers.
4. Moral stressors of triaging patients to receive care in the pandemic environment.
5. Fear response for novel or unfamiliar risks/threats.

RESOURCES:

Behavioral Health and Wellness in Covid-19 Clinical Management (patients, providers) - DoD COVID-19 PMG v7.0, 3 March 2021 p93-96.

Resiliency/Well-Being – Stress and Coping, CDC Mental Health and Resiliency during COVID-19

Leadership checklist to mitigate team stress is located within Appendix C.

Leadership checklist to promote team sleep is located within Appendix D.

Navy Leader’s Guide for Managing Sailors in Distress – The purpose is to help Leaders recognize distress related behaviors, provide support to Sailors within the unit, and collaborate with Navy helping agencies to meet the needs of distressed individuals.

The DoD and VA offer the below mobile apps for mental health guidance.

Provider Resilience: Through psychoeducation and self-assessments, Provider Resilience gives frontline providers tools to keep themselves productive and emotionally healthy as they help our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families Apple and Android versions.

Psychological First Aid (PFA): PFA Mobile was designed to assist responders who provide psychological first aid (PFA) to adults, families, and children Apple and Android versions.

Other apps can be viewed by downloading the below brochure at https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Publications/2019/08/28/DoD-and-VA-Mobile-App-Clinicians-Guide. The Brochure does not provide links to the apps.