New YNHHS employee support programs designed with well-being in mind
“It has never been more important to take a break when you need one, reach out to someone when you need support or check in with your colleagues to see how they’re doing,” said Kevin Myatt, Yale New Haven chief human resources officer. With this in mind, the YNHHS Health Care Worker Support Team was born.
The team includes clinical and non-clinical staff from across YNHHS and Yale Medicine, working together to identify ways to address employees’ emotional and physical needs during this difficult time. The team has launched several support programs and services employees can take advantage of immediately.
Quiet/Reset rooms
These designated areas offer all employees a private space to get away for a few moments and express their emotions or find peace in times of heavy stress or burnout. Quiet/Reset rooms feature reclining chairs and phones with a directory of support resources, including a guided meditation or a private conversation with a Spiritual Care chaplain.
YNHH Quiet/Reset rooms are available 24/7:
York Street Campus: Hospitalist location/inpatient location, East Pavilion, room 10-841; North Pavilion, MICU, room 4-102
Saint Raphael Campus: Main Building third-floor family waiting area, room 338B; and Private Building third-floor family waiting area, room 317
Grimes Center: First-floor therapy gym
Buddy Program
YNHHS’ Buddy Program encourages individuals in similar roles to pair up, and support and care for each other before, during and after crises. Each employee identifies a buddy with whom they will check in daily, in-person (while adhering to social distancing), or by phone or text. Each employee makes sure the other is doing OK and offers support. Issues buddies might address include emotional well-being, sleep patterns, nutrition, exercise, family and loved ones, and work-life balance.
“At its core, the Buddy Program is about connection, which is vital to our overall well-being,” said Javier Alvarado, YNHHS’ director of Social Work and Health Care Worker Support team member. “Science has shown that human connection can lower anxiety and depression and actually improve our immune system.”
For more information about the Buddy Program, call 203-688-1855.
Employee well-being and resources intranet page
This new site offers a one-stop resource for information and programs designed to support employees’ work and home needs. Links to everything from sleep tips and grocery delivery services to spiritual care and emotional support are available. Many programs are free for employees and accessible 24/7. Visit the Employee Wellbeing and Resources page (in network only) for more information.
