Iroquois Healthcare Association Launches Mental Health and Well-Being Digital Toolkit
The Iroquois Healthcare Association has created a digital toolkit to assist health care workers and health organizations with mental health challenges.
(Clifton Park, NY) – The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (MCHF) awarded a grant to the Iroquois Healthcare Association (IHA), a regional hospital trade organization, to facilitate the creation of a resource to help the mental health and well-being of health care workers. This project is a portion of a larger grant initiative that provides online training to acute care workers in upstate and rural New York.
Health care workers have been under incredible pressure since the pandemic. Staffing shortages have led to increased burn-out and overwhelming work environments. When speaking with their members, IHA noticed a recurring issue: mental health.
The Mental Health and Well-Being Digital Toolkit is a collection of resources for individuals to assess their mental health and provide guiding practices on how to appropriately address negative mental health. The toolkit also features resources to assess and engage in mental health planning at the organizational level. The toolkit is housed on IHA’s website and includes learning modules, assessments, planning tools, tip sheets, and more. The resource is free to use.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for giving us the ability to provide this important resource to our hospitals and health systems,” said IHA President and CEO Gary J. Fitzgerald. “Working in health care can be demanding and health care workers need to know that their well-being is being prioritized. We hope that this toolkit acts as a starting point for health care workers to be able to learn about themselves and seek additional support when needed.”
In addition, in response to concerns from our members about the escalation of workplace violence incidents within the healthcare industry, IHA has formed a new Workplace Violence Workgroup. Workplace violence in healthcare adds to the incredible pressure already being felt as a result of staffing shortages, burn-out and more. It is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects both staff and patients. IHA believes it is crucial to proactively address this challenge to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone within our healthcare environment. IHA’s workgroup will provide a focused opportunity for collaboration, discussion, and action on this critical issue.
About the Iroquois Healthcare Association: IHA is a regional healthcare trade organization representing more than 50 hospitals and health systems, spanning over 28,000 square miles, across 32 counties of Upstate New York. IHA is the leading resource for facilities and professionals bringing quality health care to the region. IHA represents the unique needs of rural, small community safety-net providers to large, academic medical centers in Upstate New York’s urban areas through advocacy, education and information, cost-savings initiatives and innovative business solutions.
About the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation: The MCHF is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that provide either direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health.