For the frontline workers manning the nation’s hospitals during the pandemic, many are dealing with severe levels of stress as they watch the American health system become inundated by coronavirus.

The trauma many are experiencing in hospitals is being compared to that of combat, and the Department of Defense is lending their expertise for those experiencing significant emotional stress.

The DOD will train a thousand behavior health staff through the New York City based “Helping Healers Heal” program. The program currently operates through NYC Health + Hospitals.

The DOD will begin virtual training starting in May and deploy trainers to facility-based training in June.

“Our city’s medical professionals are laboring long days and nights under extraordinary circumstances, caring for our families and loved ones. It’s a different kind of war, but they are truly soldiers,” said New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray.

Photo by UNRIC