
Behavior specialists: supporting patients as they seek lasting change
For patients struggling with mental health challenges, a behavior specialist is an integral part of the therapeutic team at Rogers Behavioral Health.
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For patients struggling with mental health challenges, a behavior specialist is an integral part of the therapeutic team at Rogers Behavioral Health.

Since it began in 1949, Mental Health Month has provided the opportunity to recognize the importance of mental health and spread awareness. Now, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines, it’s more important than ever.

Too much screen time can have a negative effect on mental health. However, during the COVID-19 crisis when social distancing and isolation are necessary, we are being asked to intentionally avoid having the same level of in-person interaction that is normally considered positive.

Kids are doing school at home. Parents are working from home. People can’t visit their loved ones in the hospital or nursing home. COVID-19 has brought significant change to our daily lives, but we can find reasons to be thankful.

Everyone is feeling the stress of dealing with all the changes that are happening during the pandemic. Now more than ever it’s important to set healthy and appropriate boundaries.

School is cancelled. Businesses are closed. And no one can say with certainty when life will get back to normal. Much of what we took for granted is not part of our daily routines, and that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety.

Everyone deals with a crisis in their own way. People are experiencing different emotions during COVID-19 as they process what’s going on around them, and that can lead to conflict.

We are living in unprecedented times. COVID-19 has changed everything that was routine and familiar, yet we can be tempted to think we should behave as though it hasn’t. We need to adjust our expectations of ourselves and everyone else.

As we continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may feel like our patience and ability to be compassionate toward ourselves and others is wearing thin. Maintaining resilience during a crisis can be challenging.

Over 400 social workers (comprised of our licensed therapists) make up the Rogers team across the system. As Jonna Pestka, LCSW, social services manager in Oconomowoc explains, this role serves as a critical component of the patient’s treatment team.
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