Understanding the Public Health Workforce’s COVID-19 Mental Health Challenges

Join the Region V Public Health Training Center and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with support from the CDC, as we introduce a new graphic essay on mental wellbeing and the challenges faced by the public health workforce.

Confronted with the challenges of a worldwide pandemic and an unprecedented national vaccination campaign, the health and mental wellbeing of the public health workforce is in critical need of support to prevent high turnover, chronic absenteeism and low productivity and morale. Addressing significant mental health challenges that public health workers experience remains crucial to strengthening the public health infrastructure and supporting the workforce. 

Using an innovative and engaging new format, we will outline relevant data recorded from a recently released Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (WINS), and hear stories and recommendations from colleagues in the field. We will be joined by Joan King, RN, MSN, senior consultant at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, who will share practices and resources related to self-care and staff wellness. 

After attending this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognize the ongoing mental health challenges faced by current public health workers as highlighted in the recently released Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey.
• Describe best practices and recommendations for a more sustainable public health infrastructure, including how to support public health leadership capacity and current public health professional training needs. 
• Identify two practices to increase personal and/or team wellness.