compiled by Meg Leddy, PA-C, NCAPA Health Committee Member and Duke University PDC Patient Safety Department

• Hope4Healers Helpline(919-226-2002) is a free resource, providing mental health and resilience support to health care professionals, emergency medical specialists, first responders, other staff who work in health care settings, and their families throughout the state who are experiencing stress from being on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response.
• Box Breathing is simply noticing when you start feeling stressed and taking a minute (literally 60 seconds) to breathe. The technique is taught by Navy Seal Mark Divine: https://youtu.be/UJnJ4xTkEOY
• Duke Center for Patient Safety has been researching how to integrate positive emotions into healthcare worker’s days.  One study showed that writing down 3 good things within 2 hours of falling asleep for 7 days, had lasting increased happiness and decreased depression over a six month period. A link to helpful tools: https://www.hsq.dukehealth.org/tools/
• Emindful’s Mindful Daily sessions are virtual, where you can connect live and interact with expert teachers and fellow participants practicing for 14 and 30 minute sessions throughout the day and evening. Free for a limited time to offer support and connection.
• Ten Percent Happier app offers a free Coronavirus Sanity Guide, guided meditations for Coronavirus Responders, along with a podcast, talks and newsletter on how to handle coronavirus anxiety. If you are a healthcare worker and are not currently subscribed to Ten Percent Happier, you can receive free access to the app by emailing care@tenpercent.com for instructions.  The Basics course of explanatory videos and guided sessions is free.
• Headspace Plus is offering free access to all US healthcare professionals working in public health settings. This includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling. Helping those who care for us, care for themselves.
• Peloton is offering all new users (not just healthcare professionals) a 90-day trial of its subscription workout app. Users can choose from classes such as yoga, meditation, strength training, cardio workout and more.  One note: Peloton does ask for your card details if you sign up for the 90-day trial via the web, and you’ll be charged if you forget to cancel once that period is up, though they do not ask for your card details if the trial is activated through the App Store, GooglePlay or FireTV devices. Once the free trial expires, the app costs $13 per month.
• Smiling Mind is a free app designed originally for kids and young adults (and their parents and teachers) but it’s a comprehensive resource for everyone, including over 41 sessions across 10 modules in its Mindfulness Foundations section for adults. It features simple tips on self-care and grounding yourself during moments of panic.
• Starbucks is offering any customer who identifies as a frontline responder to the COVID-19 outbreak a tall brewed coffee (hot or iced) at no charge. This special will run through May 3rd.  https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2020/navigating-through-covid-19/

NCAPA would like to understand the questions you have around COVID-19 so that we can advocate more effectively. With that in mind, we have set up a way for you to get questions to us, so that we can help you find answers. We realize there may not be answers to every question, but knowing what questions you have is a start. Please submit questions to covid.questions@ncapa.org.