Supporting the Supporters: A Guide to Helping Your Healthcare Professional Partner with their Mental Health in Alberta

Healthcare professionals, like doctors, nurses, and other health workers in Alberta, spend their lives looking after others. They’re on the front lines, dealing with tough situations, and often put their patients’ needs first. While this is admirable, it can take a toll. These professionals face high stress, burnout, and mental health challenges. Even though they know a lot about healthcare, asking for help with their own mental well-being can be tough. This article explores those challenges, offering you a practical guide on recognizing problems, approaching your loved one, and finding the right resources in Alberta.

Understanding the Barriers to Mental Health Care

It might seem surprising that those who care for Albertans struggle to care for themselves. Several factors create a complex set of problems. Here are some of the main obstacles:

Stigma: A major problem is the stigma around mental health issues in the medical world. Healthcare workers, might think that showing signs of mental health struggles means they’re weak or can’t do their job. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) discusses this in their Physician Wellness Hub. In a job that requires perfection, the idea of being vulnerable is a big deterrent. It prevents them getting help.
Time Pressures: Healthcare isn’t a regular 9-to-5 job. Healthcare professionals often work long hours, have changing schedules, and are under constant pressure. This leaves little time for personal needs, let alone therapy. Alberta Health Services recognizes these time constraints. Balancing work and personal life becomes almost impossible.
Fear of Others’ Opinions: The medical community is close-knit. Healthcare workers worry about what their colleagues, bosses, and even patients might think if they knew they were getting mental health support. This fear can lead to silence, stopping them from getting help.
Career Worries: Healthcare workers might worry about how therapy could affect their careers, their licenses, their ability to get promotions and to practice. In Alberta, the Health Professions Act has rules about reporting when there’s a risk of harm to patients. This can cause anxiety, even though reporting is about patient safety, not punishing those seeking help.
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue: Constantly dealing with suffering, trauma, and death, along with long hours and high-pressure situations, can be emotionally and physically draining. The CMA calls burnout an “occupational phenomenon.” Burnout causes emotional exhaustion and a reduced sense of accomplishment. Compassion fatigue comes from the strain of caring for traumatized people. Both can lead to mental health issues.
The ‘Healer’ Image: Medical culture values self-reliance and being strong. Healthcare workers are trained to be the helpers, the ones who give support. This pressure to be strong makes asking for help very difficult. Showing vulnerability feels like letting down their professional identity.
Finding the Right Help: While many workplaces offer mental health resources, finding a therapist who is the right fit, available, and understands the unique pressures of healthcare work can be hard. Finding a specialist who has experience with healthcare professionals adds another layer of difficulty. For example, some may need to seek specialized treatments for PTSD in Alberta’s healthcare workers, which can be challenging to navigate.

How to Start the Conversation

Knowing the challenges is one thing, but talking to a loved one who is a healthcare worker needs care and sensitivity. Here’s how to approach the conversation:

Listen Actively: Start by listening. Create a safe space where your loved one can share their feelings without being interrupted. Pay attention to what they say and how they say it. Show that you understand their emotions. For example, “It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed, and that’s making you feel exhausted.”
Show Empathy: Try to see things from their point of view. Recognize the challenges they face as a healthcare worker. Validate their feelings, even if you don’t have the same experiences. Say something like, “I can only imagine how draining it must be. It’s understandable that you’re feeling this way.”
Validate Their Feelings: Make sure they know their feelings are legitimate. This is important for someone who might be doubting themselves. Say things like, “It makes perfect sense that you’re feeling stressed,” or “Your feelings are completely valid, and it’s okay to not be okay.”
Present Therapy as a Strength: Talk about therapy as a way to improve overall health and resilience, not as a sign of weakness. Highlight its potential to help them provide better care. Say, “Think of therapy as a way to recharge and develop better coping skills. It’s like a tune-up for your mental health.”
Use “I” Statements: Express your concerns without blaming. This approach focuses on your observations and feelings. For example, instead of saying, “You’re always so stressed, you need therapy,” try, “I’ve noticed you seem more withdrawn lately, and I’m worried about you.”
Choose the Right Time and Place: Pick a time and place where you can have a calm conversation. Avoid bringing it up when your loved one is stressed, tired, or distracted. A quiet evening at home might be better than a rushed conversation before work.
Offer Support, Not Solutions (at First): Initially, focus on giving emotional support and listening. Avoid giving advice unless your partner specifically asks for it. Sometimes, just having someone listen is the most helpful thing.
Show Unconditional Love and Support: Let your loved one know your support is unconditional. Reassure them that you love and care for them, and that you’ll be there no matter what. This builds trust.
Be Patient and Persistent: It might take several conversations before your loved one is ready to think about therapy. Be patient and persistent, but avoid nagging. Keep offering support and let them know you’re there when they’re ready.

What Not to Do

Knowing what not to say is just as important as knowing what to say. Certain phrases and approaches can shut down communication. Avoid these:

Dismissing Feelings: Phrases like, “Everyone feels stressed,” or “You’re just being dramatic,” dismiss their feelings. This can make them feel unheard.
Giving Unwanted Advice: Unless your partner asks for advice, don’t tell them what they “should” do. Offering solutions before they’ve fully expressed themselves can feel dismissive.
Making Assumptions: Don’t assume you know what your partner is going through or what they need. Instead, ask questions like, “How are you feeling about that?”
Using Judgmental Language: Avoid words like “crazy,” “weak,” or “unstable.” These terms create a barrier to open communication.
Comparing Experiences: Don’t compare their struggles to those of others or your own. Saying things like, “My friend went through something similar, and they were fine,” minimizes their experience.
Pressuring Them: Avoid pressuring your partner to seek therapy or making them feel guilty. The decision to seek help must be their own.
Breaking Confidentiality: If your partner shares personal information, respect their privacy. Don’t share it with others without their permission.

Resources in Alberta

Knowing where to find help is vital. Canada, and Alberta specifically, has resources to support the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. These include:

Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Physician Wellness Hub: This online hub provides resources and support specifically for physicians. It addresses topics like burnout and finding help.
Alberta Medical Association (AMA) Physician and Family Assistance Program (PFAP): The PFAP is a key support for Alberta’s physicians, medical students, residents, and their immediate families. It offers confidential counseling and support services. This program is designed for medical professionals. They can be reached at 1-877-SOS-4MDS (767-4637).
Alberta Health Services: Offers mental health support to all Albertans, including healthcare workers. Their website helps individuals find what’s available, using their postal code. Website
Togetherall: Togetherall is an online mental health community where people can connect anonymously with others. It’s moderated by registered mental health professionals. Togetherall is free for Alberta residents ages 16 and up.
Access 24/7: People in Edmonton and the surrounding area can use Access 24/7, which offers urgent and non-urgent care for addiction and mental health. They can be reached at 780-424-2424.
The Provincial Addiction & Mental Health Warm Line: Albertans outside of the Edmonton area have access to The Provincial Addiction & Mental Health Warm Line, which offers support. They can be reached at 1-888-594-0211. Website.
Well Doc Alberta: Well Doc Alberta is an organization dedicated to advancing physician wellness. They offer resources and promote awareness to improve the health of physicians in Alberta.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA): The CMHA provides information and support for mental health across Canada. They have branches in many communities. CMHA Alberta also has a website with similar information. CMHA Alberta.

The Role of Family

Family members play a crucial role in the mental health of healthcare workers. This involves creating a supportive environment.

Creating a Safe Space: Family members can create a home environment that is safe and supportive. This includes promoting open communication and reducing stressors where possible.
Active Listening: Family members should consistently practice active listening. This ongoing support reinforces the message that the healthcare worker’s feelings are valid.
Reducing Workload (Where Possible): While family members can’t directly reduce a healthcare worker’s workload at their job, they can help reduce stress at home. This might involve taking on more household chores or preparing meals.
Advocacy: Family members can help their loved one find resources and access support. They can also challenge stigma.
Cultural Sensitivity: Cultural background influences attitudes towards mental health. Family members should be sensitive to these differences.

Building Resilience

Encouraging therapy is important, but fostering a culture of well-being goes beyond that. Here are some additional strategies:

Highlighting Strengths: Regularly remind your loved one of their strengths. Reinforcing their capabilities can boost their self-esteem.
Normalizing Therapy: Talk about therapy as a normal and helpful resource. Share stories of people who have benefited from therapy.
Sharing Personal Experiences (Carefully): If you or someone you know has had a positive experience with therapy, consider sharing it (if appropriate). This can help normalize therapy. However, respect privacy.
Addressing Concerns: If your partner expresses specific concerns about therapy (e.g., confidentiality, time, cost), address them directly and offer solutions. For example, research therapists who specialize in working with healthcare professionals or explore online therapy.
Practical Support: Offer help, such as with childcare, scheduling appointments, or finding a therapist.
Respecting Autonomy: Ultimately, the decision to seek therapy is personal. Respect your partner’s decision. Continue to offer support.
Suggesting a Trial: Suggest that your loved one try a few therapy sessions to see if it’s a good fit.
Highlighting the Benefits: Therapy can improve one’s well being, relationships and coping skills.

Key Statistics

The need for mental health support among healthcare professionals is backed by data:

The CMA National Physician Health Survey (2021) found that 59% of those surveyed agreed that there is stigma around mental health in the medical community. Source
The same survey showed 53% of physicians and residents screened positive for burnout. Source
27% of physicians and residents reported experiencing depression.
17% of physicians and residents reported having suicidal thoughts within the previous 12 months.
A study showed that depression or depressive symptoms were present in about 27% of physicians. Source
Only a small portion of healthcare workers facing mental health issues seek professional help.
In Alberta, comprehensive data is limited, but the CMA and AMA provide general numbers.

Supporting our Healthcare Professionals

Supporting the mental health of healthcare workers is a shared effort. It requires addressing stigma, providing accessible resources, and promoting well-being. Family members, colleagues, and healthcare institutions all have a role to play. By understanding the challenges, communicating with sensitivity, and offering support, we can help those who care for others get the care they need. This is especially important in Alberta, where healthcare professionals are vital to the province’s well-being. If you are concerned about your healthcare professional partner, reach out to the Alberta Medical Association’s Physician and Family Assistance Program, or explore the other resources listed in this article. Also contact us at Responders First for direct support.

Don Davis

15+ years of emergency response experience. Passionate about connecting our first responder communities with critical resources. Author of hundreds of articles and guides on First Responders mental health care. When not responding to emergencies, you can find me playing with my dogs, hiking, or enjoying a good book.