OSF SilverCloud offered as powerful resource for employers and employees

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As the pandemic wears on and employers attempt to forge ahead in this new environment, mental health concerns in the work force are becoming more commonplace.Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare is making sure employers are aware of a free, 24-7 support resource that can help them and their workers better manage stress, anxiety and depression.

A recent virtually-held OSF HealthCare Healthy Workplace event focused on mental health, knowing what drives stress, and strategies for helping manage struggles. Dominique Dietz, LCSW and manager of Behavioral Health for OSF HealthCare saysOSF SilverCloud它是一个数字治疗和支持平台，可以帮助雇主和员工应对睡眠问题、易怒和其他痛苦指标不断增加的新动态。

Dietz shared that for example, many daycare options closed or haven’t been able to accept as many children due to staffing shortages and that has added stress for employees who are being asked to return to their workplace.

“We’ve been working remote at home and they’re balancing watching their kids and now we’re like, ‘Hey we have to return to the office.’ Navigating those hard conversations, navigating being flexible and things like that, has really added to employee stress as well as leadership stress.”

The Healthy Workplace program is designed to help prepare small, medium and large employers and social service agencies to be more responsive to employees experiencing increased stress in all aspects of their lives, which in turn, can impact their job performance.

“当我们感到压力时，当我们的员工感到压力时，可能他们感觉不那么有动力，可能他们不那么友好，可能他们在文件或文书方面不那么彻底，因为当他们处理两倍甚至三倍的客户或病人时，他们感到如此不堪重负，所以我们会看到事情的另一面。”

Dietz says it is important for employers to acknowledge the change that’s occurring in their employees’ personal lives. Supervisors can support their staff by having open conversations,and by being transparent and flexible. Being responsive is critically important because more people are struggling, yet with fewer mental health providers to offer treatment.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says more than half the people with mental illness in the U.S. did not receive any treatment last year. NAMI estimates more than 4.8 million people in Illinois live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals. That number is 4.2 million in Michigan, where OSF HealthCare also operates a hospital and medical clinics.

To help off-set the shortage, Dietz wants employers and individuals to know OSF SilverCloud can improve mental health and self-management of moderate stress, anxiety and depression. The platform can be accessed by computer, tablet or smartphone and has a specific module to help with stress.

“It can help with work-life balance, problem-solving, communication, helpful thinking, self-esteem and resilience.”

SilverCloud模块提供正念练习、交互式日志和情绪或生活方式图表。该平台由行为健康导航员支持，他们可以在必要时干预并与用户互动。

Dietz says it can also be used as a bridge to therapy because wait times for therapy appointments can be between four to six weeks. Some therapists also use OSF SilverCloud as a tool for their patients.

“Therapists are utilizing SilverCloud in conjunction with their therapy – as their (patients') homework and exercises to do in between their therapy sessions, as well as when individuals are ending therapy. Being able to have them sign up for SilverCloud and have that additional support by a coach for an additional 8 to 12 weeks as well.”

Dietz says the engaging activities can help individuals understand what is contributing to their mental load – all the stuff that consumes their thoughts, which can lead to anxiety, stress and can be a source of anger and resentment. Those lingering emotions can sap your energy and take away from quality of life.

SilverCloud has added a new program was developed specifically around COVID-19 stressors called, “Challenging Times.” It’s for anyone having trouble managing their feelings connected to the pandemic.

You can sign-up for Silver Cloud on theOSF website. That will also provide access to the app which can be downloaded on a smart phone or tablet.