NEW YORK-UNS: NYC Health + Hospitals has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to implement the Interactive Screening Program, an online self-screening tool for staff to connect to peer and clinical support before a potential crisis emerges. The anonymous screening tool is customized for the health system. Employees take a brief stress and depression questionnaire and then receive feedback from a counselor. Employees can learn about the mental health programs that are available, and, if desired, schedule an appointment with the counselor. This partnership builds on Helping Healers Heal (H3), NYC Health + Hospitals’ staff wellness program, where staff will have the option to debrief with a peer support champion. The AFSP created ISP in 2001 to lessen mental health stigma in providing mental health help to all who are in need.
“Taking care of our health means taking care of our mental health as well,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “NYC Health + Hospitals is proud to bolster our efforts to support our employees’ mental health through a new partnership with AFSP. Our healthcare workers are often exposed to trauma and critically ill patients, and the stress can have lasting impact. This tool will help our frontline healthcare workers recognize signs and symptoms of distress and learn about available mental health services options.”
“As Helping Healers Heal (H3) approaches its 6th anniversary at NYC Health + Hospitals, we continue to evolve and build the wealth of wellness resources available for all of our staff,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and System Chief Quality Officer Eric Wei, MD, MBA. “The addition of the ISP is a true milestone in adding to our robust wellness resources for staff.”
As of today, ISP has assisted over 280,000 employees working in over 200 organizations ranging across healthcare, academic institutions, law enforcement agencies and other workplaces. In 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly half of health workers said they felt burned out and recently stated that there is a bourgeoning mental health crisis for healthcare workers. The Physicians Foundation found that over 76% of physicians, residents, and medical students agree that physician mental health stigma still exists. According to a recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association, healthcare workers in the US are at increased risk of suicide as compared to non-healthcare workers.
“We are grateful for this new collaboration with AFSP. NYC Health + Hospitals proudly joins the efforts of advocating for mental health resources for all staff in an equitable manner,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Assistant Vice President and System Chief Wellness Officer Jeremy Segall. “ISP is a great way for staff to seek help in a confidential and voluntary manner to ensure they always have the opportunity to be taken care just as much as they care for others.”
“AFSP believes we must prioritize the mental health of our frontline healthcare workers,” said AFSP Chief Medical Officer Dr. Christine Yu Moutier. “ISP encourages help-seeking for mental health concerns by creating safe ways to connect with support available, especially for those reluctant to reach out. For providers accustomed to caring for others, connecting with peer support and clinical services is critical in enhancing wellbeing and resilience and reducing suicide risk.”
