BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — "We knew where our kids were gonna be and we knew what our day to day was gonna look like," Gulsum Silluzio, Director of Operations at Horizon Health Services said. "Everything kind of changed."
Mental health is a topic that's more important now than ever. People are starting to head back to work, but some are scared.
"Employers can do their teams such a great service by being very clear that everybody's health and the public health is paramount right now," said Lisa Coppola, Esq. Attorney at The Coppola Firm.
Which is why there's a number of things employers can do:
- Providing PPE quipment
- Having extra hand sanitizer around the office
- Implement social distancing measures like barriers between desks or floor markers
- Develop a travel policy
- Communicate and listen to your employees if they have concerns
"All of these things help ease the mind of the employee," Eric Galdys, HR Business Partner at ESC said. "It ensures that employers are doing their part, to the best of their ability, to provide a safe environment for those employees returning."
If you’re heading back to work, Horizon Health Services encourages you to to take care of yourself. They say you can do things like take a walk, take a break, exercise, and most importantly talk to your boss if there are any concerns.
"It's better to have your employer know you're going through something so that they can understand and help you the best they can,"
Galdys said.
"If you're holding it in and you feel like you're the only one and you're keeping it to yourself, it's gonna feel so much more overwhelming than if you have someone to talk to," Silluzio added.
Additional resources
New York State Emotional Support helpline (non-crisis situations): 1-844-863-9314
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1 or Text 838255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Erie County
Crisis Services Hotline: 1-716-834-3131
Addiction Hotline: 1-716-831-7007
Chautauqua County
Crisis Services Hotline: 1-800-724-0461
Niagara County
Crisis Services Hotline: 1-716-285-3515
Allegany County
Teen Hotline: 1-888-44-TEENS (1-888-448-3367)
Genesee County
Care + Crisis Helpline: 1-585-344-4400, 1-844-345-4400 (24/7, free and confidential, trained listeners for any type of crisis)
Orleans County
Life Line: 1-585-327-4452
Wyoming County
Crisis Line: 1-585-786-0220
Cattaraugus County
Crisis Line: 1-800-339-5209
