By: Mae Cornes
Operating out of New York City and Westchester, NY, Jamie Karia, a renowned psychotherapist and life coach, is addressing a silent crisis plaguing the healthcare industry. With over 20 years of experience in the profession, Karia has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of mental health struggles on healthcare and social workers.
Her practice, Coaching You for Life, offers a saving raft to those who dedicate their lives to helping others but often neglect their own well-being. By extension, her educational efforts in both public speaking and literature are also geared towards these individuals, hoping to destigmatize the taboo of mental struggle.
The Mental Health Crisis Among Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers are facing a major mental health crisis. According to a recent CDC report, nearly half of healthcare workers reported feeling burned out in 2022, a significant increase from previous years. The same report highlighted that 44% of healthcare workers intended to look for new jobs, up from 33% in 2018, showcasing the growing dissatisfaction and mental strain within the profession.
“Healthcare workers are the backbone of our society, yet they often suffer the most. The constant exposure to trauma, long hours, and the emotional toll of caring for others can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression and anxiety,” says Karia.
The statistics are alarming. A study published in JAMA found that healthcare support workers and registered nurses experience some of the highest suicide rates among all professions, with rates of 21.4% and 16%, respectively. This is a stark reminder of the urgent need for mental health support within the healthcare community.
However, this staggering trend goes beyond the healthcare sector. In one analysis published by the National Vital Statistics System, it was found that social workers are also 55.6% more likely to die by suicide than the rest of the working age population. In addition to better mental health awareness for those in healthcare, a greater focus on the “caring” profession as a whole may be more appropriate.
Karia helps lead the charge through her platform, “To anyone listening, please spread awareness and thank global policymakers for supporting social workers’ well-being through their policies. Contact representatives, vote, engage on social media, and encourage others to advocate for social worker support.”
The Role of Social Workers in Mental Health
Social workers are not immune to mental health challenges either. These selfless workers connect patients with resources, conduct psychological assessments, and provide crisis intervention – often in the form of psychodynamic therapy, prolonged exposture therapy or motivational interviewing. However, the emotional burden of their work can also affect their own mental health.
“Social workers are essential in the mental health ecosystem, yet they face immense pressure and often lack the support they need,” Karia explains. “They help others navigate their darkest moments, but who helps them when they are struggling?”
A study by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) found that social workers frequently experience high levels of stress, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress due to their work. The same study emphasized the need for better support systems and resources to help social workers manage their mental health—systems such as those taught by Karia herself.
On a more hopeful note, one legal proceeding stands to counteract this horrific reality. A significant push for congress to extend laws meant to reduce burnout and suicide among
healthcare workers, Karia explains “Suicides among social and healthcare workers are preventable! Go out and petition your representatives. Our heroes deserve better than this.”
Jamie Karia’s Approach to Mental Health Support
Karia’s practice, Coaching You for Life, offers a unique blend of holistic therapeutic modalities designed to address the specific needs of healthcare and social workers. Her approach includes a combination of; dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, life coaching, psychoeducation as well as art and play therapy.
“The important aspect of my work is creating a safe, supportive and fun environment where my clients can connect and heal their inner child wounds – especially those that may be developed or triggered by their profession,” Karia says. “The idea is to help these underserved individuals build the resilience needed to make it through their tough careers, letting them thrive both personally and professionally. With this inner strength, they’ll be better prepared to tackle their short and long-term goals.”
Karia’s recent launch of an international celebrity therapy concierge service demonstrates her intention to conduct personalized care. This service ensures that her high-profile clients, including those in the healthcare industry, receive consistent therapeutic support regardless of location.
Steps to Easing the Burden
Karia believes that addressing the mental health crisis among healthcare and social workers requires a modern multi-pronged strategy. Creating a social culture that prioritizes mental health is an absolute must. This includes providing access to mental health resources, encouraging open communication, and reducing stigma around seeking help. Of course, all these treatments can only occur with the collaboration of the patient – both maximizing effectiveness and providing a more personalized treatment plan.
Regular mental health check-ups can help identify issues early and provide timely support before the situation worsens. In addition, highlighting preventive care and regular talk-therapy addressing secondary trauma exposure can further reinforce the worker’s support system.
Allowing healthcare and social workers flexible schedules can help reduce burnout and improve work-life balance. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with high levels of stress and emotional exhaustion. Karia also encourages ensuring that healthcare and social workers have access to professional mental health support, such as therapy and counseling.
“If we don’t protect our everyday heroes, who will protect us? Mental healthcare is not a luxury, it is a necessity that needs addressing,” Karia emphasizes.
Though the situation may seem dire based on recent statistics, helping hands like Karia are slowly redefining society. Soon, discussions on mental health will likely be not only destigmatized but encouraged—especially for high-stress careers like social and health services.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
