During these tremendously challenging times, we are all experiencing some new stressors in our every-day lives both in the home and at work. Challenges and routines have been replaced, intensified or removed out of our daily way of life. As an employer, Walden Environmental Engineering believes it is important to provide a comfortable, safe and healthy environment for our staff and families. Mental health plays a vital role in our personal and professional lives. Building resilience is something that we can all work on together to achieve success personally and professionally.
Walden was pleased to host Dr. Amy Nitza, Psychologist and Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) at the State University of New York – New Paltz to present “Building and Sustaining Personal and Professional Resilience” in a webinar for Walden staff, family and friends. Dr. Nitza leads the IDMH to address the diversity of disaster mental health demands in the region, state, national and the global community so that those impacted by disaster and trauma have access to the mental health support they need. Dr. Nitza explains that resilience is the ability to stay in or quickly return to a place of physiological, emotional and mental balance after being disrupted by stressors such as the pandemic and what we are experiencing as, “a new normal”.
Earlier this year, the IDMH issued a tip sheet for community members, “COVID-19: Managing Stress in this Anxious Time”. This publication noted that staying braced for a threat over an extended period of time takes a real toll on our bodies and minds. Further, the IDMH emphasized that it’s essential to recognize and address our stress to prevent it from becoming overwhelming.
“As the consequences of the pandemic continue and we attempt to settle into a ‘new normal’ at work and at home, almost everyone is navigating elevated anxiety levels and multiple sources of stress. During these times, creating and sustaining one’s resilience is crucial.” -Amy Nitza, PhD
This webinar offered Walden staff, family and friends a framework for understanding resilience, and offer strategies for building and maintaining resilience in response to both chronic and acute stressors. Keeping a healthy mind is helpful for achieving goals and even everyday routines in the office. Joseph M Heaney III, P.E. and owner of Walden closed the session by reviewing Walden’s mental health resources available to employees and their families as part of being an employee of Walden. This seminar was recorded and will be used by current and future Walden employees as part of on-boarding and programmed training sessions in the future. Walden invests heavily in its most valuable resource: Our employees.
More about IDMH:
The Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) is located at the State University of New York – New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz). The IDMH seeks to address the diversity of disaster mental health demands in the region, state, nation, and the global community so that all those impacted by disaster and trauma have access to the mental health support they need. To accomplish this goal, IDMH provides leadership to advance the field of disaster mental health and trauma response through training, research, consultation, and service. IDMH works to establish and disseminate best practices in order to ensure that all disaster mental health services are evidence-supported and culturally sensitive.
If you have any questions or comments on the webinar presented by Dr. Nitza, please contact us.
If you or someone you may know may need training assistance or resources regarding the mental health issues related to disasters, please contact the Institute for Disaster Mental Health ((845) 257-3477 or idmh@newpaltz.edu).
For direct mental health services, contact your organization’s mental health resources, or other mental health professional or provider right away.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at all times at (800) 273-8255 or at www.suicideprevention lifeline.org.
The Disaster Distress Helpline is available at all times at (800) 985-5990 or at www.samhsa.gov.