Sierra Tucson Launches Mental Healthcare Program for Frontline Health Workers

Sierra Tucson on Wednesday announced the launch of a mental health initiative to provide care for physicians, nurses and other frontline healthcare workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare Heroes Trauma Recovery is a three-tiered residential trauma treatment program for caregivers, hospital administrators and other professionals whose careers involving caring for others has been impacted by the pandemic.

The three tiers:

• Renew and Heal: A 5-day option that promotes recovery and revitalization
• Trauma Intensive: A 14-day option for healthcare workers whose mental health and overall functioning have been impacted by coronavirus-induced stress
• Trauma Healing: A 30-day program for healthcare workers who may have had prior trauma and are now experiencing increased symptoms from work dealing with the pandemic

“Even before the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare providers faced a heightened risk of trauma in the course of fulfilling their day-to-day responsibilities in hospitals and clinics,” Jaime Vinck, MC, LPC, NCC, Group CEO for Sierra Tucson Group, said in a news release. “But now, we’ve seen tens of thousands of healthcare workers suffering from chronic stress, trauma, depression, grief, burnout, self-medication with alcohol and other drugs, insomnia – and even suicidal thoughts – as they bravely care for patients during this COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Therapies incorporated into treatment include: biofeedback, nervous system healing, EMDR, equine-assisted therapy, trauma yoga and small group discussions.

Sierra Tucson is offering complementary assessments for healthcare workers through a telehealth platform. Assessments are conducted by a trauma healing counselor to determine a treatment recommendation. Additional information about obtaining an assessment can be found on the Healthcare Heroes Trauma Recovery website.