To promote employee wellness, Lyster Army Health Clinic’s Behavioral Health Department hosted a self care workshop. Employees had the opportunity to attend the event to learn about self-care tips, mindfulness practices, and strategies for developing a self care plan in their own lives.

The self-care workshop was held on March 20, 2023, and featured Brent Eubanks, MSW, LICSW, with the presentation titled, “Understanding Compassion Fatigue and the Importance of Self Care.”

The workshop focused on examining what is compassion fatigue or burn out and how to identify it, steps to reduce it, and how to develop a self care plan. Working in a healthcare setting, especially the last few years with the pandemic, many organizations have seen an increase in stress and fatigue among staff.

Eubanks remarked, “The Behavioral Health team felt that it would be beneficial to clinic staff to provide an in-service. I chose the topic of compassion fatigue and self-care, as it would be something that most everyone could relate to.” The workshop was held in conjunction with recognizing March as Social Work Month.

The workshop opened with asking participants to share why they got into medicine, and the general consensus was “wanting to help people”.

The team learned the difference between being tired and being fatigued. Understanding what one is experiencing is the first step in working on a plan to improve quality of life. Healthcare personnel, directly or indirectly involved in patient care can be busy and stressful with lots of demands and responsibilities. To meet these demands and succeed, individuals need to take care of themselves so they can be a better care manager for their patients.

Taking time to examine if you are experiencing compassion fatigue or burn out, can help you identify concerns so you can take appropriate steps to get started on a healthier, happier journey by developing your own self care plan.

Ideas shared with the team included:

• Spend plenty of quiet time alone.

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes per day.

• Hold at least one meaningful conversation each day.

• Find a co-worker, supervisor, or other individual to be a mentor.

• Request time off when needed.

When working towards recovery, it’s important to understand that the pain one feels is normal. It’s important to not neglect one’s own needs and interest. It’s easy to fall into the habit of complaining with colleagues but it’s not productive. Instead focus on managing expectations, finding time for oneself, and building a self care plan.

The Self Care Workshop has been one of many resources available to staff to help build resiliency, focus on self care, and wellness of the team. Putting people first is a priority for Lyster leadership.

Ms. Stephanie Lawson, Chief of Human Resources at Lyster, stressed the importance of employee-centric policies. “The pandemic in the healthcare industry has played a huge role in employee self-efficacy levels and burn out. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated employee demands for leaders and supervisors to meet both the physical and mental health needs and lent urgency to core human elements. When we take a hard look at the reform of our people, their mental health, and the efficacy levels, we achieve greater levels of performance and an overall understanding of Lyster’s purpose, principals, and processes,” concluded Lawson.

About Lyster Army Health Clinic:

Lyster Army Health Clinic, named for Brigadier General Theodore C. Lyster, the “Father of Aviation Medicine” is devoted to the health and wellness of the Fort Rucker community.

Lyster’s vision today continues to keep aviators in the air as the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker’s premier medical force. It remains a model of the same high standards set by Brigadier General Theodore C. Lyster, the “Father of Aviation Medicine”.

For more information visit https://lyster.tricare.mil/.