Care New England sets up free hotline for frontline employees to get emotional support

All over the country we are hearing reports of medical workers are in in desperate need for supplies and personal protective equipment.

“We have to remember these heroic frontline people who are truly risking their lives are mother’s, father’s, daughter’s, and son’s,” Doctor Margaret Howard, division director of the Center for Women’s Behavioral Health a

t Women & Infants Hospital.

That’s why Care New England decided to set up a free hotline for all employees to call in order to get emotional support during this time.

“The majority of Americans and Rhode Islanders have never been through anything like this in their lives, said Howard. “These are uncertain times, scary times, and the normal resopodne o that fear and uncertainty is anxiety.”

Butler Hospital partnered up with the Providence Center and Women and Infants Behavioral Health Services to help staff the health specialists who are taking the calls.

The option is free and runs seven days a week. After you call, the person will ask you a series of questions and then decide who is best to speak to you, and set you up with an appointment over the phone, which lasts a half hour.

“We are living in crazy times,” Howard said. “There will be loss, there will be heartache. Lives will be disrupted. Routines, educationally, occupationally, you name it. Every sphere of our functioning day to day lives has been disrupted because of this.”

If you are a Care New England employee the number is 401-CARE NOW (401-227-3669).