8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9
Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
M
ental health is
often over-
looked or not
talked about because
people are ashamed of
sharing how they feel, or
afraid of what others
might think if they ask
for help. My facility is
working to reduce the
stigma associated with
mental health issues. On one occasion, staff were encouraged to wear
green socks — green represents mental health awareness — to show
our support for those who are suffering in silence or who care for a
loved one battling an emotional, psychological or social disorder.
Wearing symbolic socks may not seem impactful, but banding togeth-
er as a team in this way could make it easier for someone who needs
help to seek it through an employee-assistance program or with a pro-
fessional counselor, or simply reach out to a co-worker they trust to
talk about how they're feeling. I challenge you to remove the barriers
that prevent people from pursuing treatment and create an environ-
ment that supports mental health awareness.
Daphyne Ressler, RN, BSN
Evangelical Ambulatory Surgical Center
Lewisburg, Pa.
daphyne.ressler@evanhospital.com
SOCKS OVER STIGMA
Wear Green to Promote Mental Health Awareness
Evangelical
Ambulatory
Surgical
Center
• SHOW OF SUPPORT Staff members at Evangelical Ambulatory Surgical Center
hope those experiencing mental health issues will not feel ashamed to seek help.
