Advice for healthcare professionals

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Coronavirus and mental health > Mental wellbeing advice by group > Advice for healthcare professionals

Updated on 10 July 2020

Every day, doctors, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, cleaners, porters and thousands of other healthcare professionals across the UK are working tirelessly on the frontline of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. At this time, it is more vital than ever that you look after yourself, allow yourself to recognise the emotional challenges of your work and ask for support when you need it.

This video, created by doctors, psychologists and researchers at the NHS Traumatic Stress Clinic in London, the UCL Institute of Mental Health and the COVID Trauma Response Working Group, examines some of the main concerns you might have.

The NHS is providing a free, confidential staff support line for its staff.

Call 0300 131 7000 (7am - 11pm, seven days a week) or text FRONTLINE to 85258 for 24/7 support via text message.

A series of NHS-led webinars focused on supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of health and care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic has also been developed. Visit the Thrive LDN website to access the Keeping Well for Health and Care Workers webinars.

10 ways to protect your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

Stay connected to your colleagues, family, friends and other members of your support network and talk openly about how you’re feeling – call them, text them or have a video chat if you can’t see them in person. You can also contact the NHS staff support line.
Make sure you receive an effective safety induction, especially if you have been deployed to a new department, you’re newly-qualified or you’re returning to work to help fight COVID-19.
Raise any concerns you have with your line manager so they can support you.
Try to stick to your normal daily routine but recognise when you need to adapt.
Take time to wind down after work and try to get enough sleep – as an NHS employee, you currently get free access to Headspace and other wellbeing apps.
Avoid information overload – you might find it useful to limit how many times a day you check the news and social media.
Take care of yourself – try to eat healthily, stay hydrated, take breaks at work whenever you can, get some fresh air and exercise.
Know where you can go for support within your organisation (e.g. a drop-in group or one-to-one support) and outside of it (e.g. video counselling and online peer support groups).
If you are a senior member of staff, check on your team members’ wellbeing regularly and offer a safe space for them to talk.
Recognise the enormous gratitude of everyone in the UK for your courage and compassion at this difficult time, as seen with #ClapForCarers.

If you need urgent support, please contact Shout (text Shout to 85258) or Samaritans (call 116 123).

As London’s digital mental wellbeing service, Good Thinking has put together the information below to help you manage any concerns you might have about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

We have also gathered some useful resources to help you support your colleagues at this time.

I’m anxious about my own health

As a healthcare professional, you have the knowledge and skills to limit the spread of infection but you might still worry about getting ill if you come into contact with patients with coronavirus.

You might find the following information about infection prevention, PPE and testing useful:

To help manage your anxiety:

Take the Good Thinking anxiety quiz so we can recommend useful apps and resources
Use the Good Thinking self-assessment tool to understand your anxiety better
Download the Headspace app – this is free for NHS staff with an NHS email address until 31 December 2020
Watch the COVID-19 Supporting Doctors stress and anxiety video
Read the NHS guidance on health anxiety
Visit the Anxiety UK website
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m feeling stressed and I’m also worried about my colleagues getting stressed

As you come under sustained pressure dealing with coronavirus, it’s important that you find ways to manage your stress levels and help your colleagues to do the same. Try to provide a listening ear and remind each other that you’ll get through this together.

Get advice from Good Thinking about dealing with stress
Listen to Good Thinking's podcast with Professor Neil Greenberg
Take the Good Thinking stress quiz to get access to useful apps and resources, including My Possible Self and Be Mindful
Use the Good Thinking self-assessment tool to understand your stress better
Get psychological first aid (PFA) training from FutureLearn
Download the Headspace app (this is free for NHS staff with an NHS email address until 31 December 2020) and check out the free online yoga classes for NHS staff
Watch the COVID-19 Supporting Doctors stress and anxiety video
Read this BMJ article about self-care
Read the NHS guidance on coping with stress
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m finding it hard to sleep

After a busy shift, you might find it difficult to switch off and unwind but it’s vital that you get enough sleep.

Get sleep advice from Good Thinking
Take the Good Thinking sleep quiz to get access to apps and other tools that will help you to sleep better, such as Calm and Be Mindful
Use the Good Thinking self-assessment tool to understand your sleep better
Watch the The Joyful Doctor’s video about COVID-19 and sleep disturbances among doctors
Read this BMJ article about self-care
Read this article about sleep by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Read the NHS guidance on how to get to sleep
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m distressed that I can’t do more for my patients

Whether you have 40 years of experience or you’re new to the profession, looking after a patient who is seriously ill or dying is very difficult. Take a moment to acknowledge how you feel and remember, there is no right or wrong way to feel. You might find that you experience a range of emotions, including sadness, shock, anger, numbness and even guilt, and move between these feelings at different times.

Read the BMA guidance on ethical issues related to COVID-19 and coping with the death of a patient
Get advice from the Royal College of Nursing
Visit the Royal College of General Practitioners guidance on end of life care
Read the bereavement guidance for NHS Trusts
Visit the Cruse bereavement care website
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m in self-isolation and finding it difficult

It’s vital that anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, including healthcare professionals, self-isolates in accordance with the official advice. Being at home might be challenging but there are some things you can do to help protect your mental wellbeing.

Read the Good Thinking article about how to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
Take a look at the Good Thinking Q&A about staying mentally well during self-isolation
Read the Government advice on self-isolation
Visit the BMA website for advice about self-isolation
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m concerned about how this is affecting my family

You might be worried about your family’s health, your children’s education and your household finances at this time. If you’re living apart from your family, you might also be concerned about the effect this separation is having on them.

Read Good Thinking’s advice for parents and carers
Follow the five ways to good mental wellbeing as a family
Read the Good Thinking article about dealing with job and financial uncertainty
Share Good Thinking's advice for children and young people whose parents are essential workers with your family
Listen to Good Thinking's podcast about supporting the whole family
Read Our NHS People's guide for key worker parents and carers
Read the Royal College of Nursing’s employment guidance and information about school closures
Get Family Lives’ tips about how to support your family during the coronavirus outbreak
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m worried about the social stigma of working in healthcare and possible abusive behaviour

Unfortunately, some of you might experience a negative reaction by members of your community due to stigma or fear. The NHS has a zero tolerance policy towards abusive behaviour.

See the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s response to recent incidents of abuse
Access the Health and Safety Executive’s advice about violence in health and social care
Read this BMJ article about social stigma
Get advice from UNICEF and WHO
Contact the NHS staff support line

I’m overwhelmed by the amount of information about coronavirus

Try to get your information from your employer and the NHS and Government websites only and limit how many times a day you check the news and social media.