C-TECH redirects activities in response to the Covid-19 crisis
C-TECH redirects activities in response to the Covid-19 crisis
December 18, 2020
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C-TECH redirects activities in response to the Covid-19 crisis

The Caribbean Training and Education Center for Health (C-TECH) has rallied its world-class talent and skills to help in the fight against coronavirus. From supporting front-line staff with vital training, to gathering and analysing data; C-TECH has risen to the challenge to help the government provide critical COVID-19 resources to health facilities, including support and expertise to advance health care workers’ ability to prevent, prepare, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“COVID-19 has fundamentally disrupted health systems and our team at C-TECH is playing a major role in building up the health workforce, strengthening the capacities of healthcare workers to prevent and respond to this global health emergency,’ said Natalie Irving-Mattocks, C-TECH’s Executive Director. C-TECH has been working extensively with the Government’s Health Ministry for the past 17 years in health systems strengthening and building institutional capacity on HIV Prevention and response.

Among the response actions undertaken by C-TECH, is the delivery of training sessions through virtual means and the upscaling of the HIV Warmline, which offers immediate consultation services to clinicians who require consultation on a wide range of healthcare challenges. C-TECH has also developed a partnership with the Jamaica Network of Seropositives (JN+) to ensure that People Living With HIV (PLHIV) are appropriately informed about accessing HIV Services during the pandemic and are provided with accurate information related to COVID-19 and HIV. 

Dr. Nadesha Tugwell-Thompson, Clinical Program Manager remarked that “when the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Jamaica, ECHO sessions were immediately modified to update healthcare workers about the COVID 19 pandemic while still maintaining a focus on HIV, Mental Health and Quality Improvement topics.” In addition to the virtual sessions, trainees can view and download the presentations and other resources on the newly developed web page for the training program. 

C-TECH has also taken a step further to deliver Mental Health HIV ECHO sessions on Gender-Based Violence in HIV and COVID-19. Emphasis has also been placed on Quality Improvement (QI) methods to improve and strengthen triaging systems in the healthcare facilities during the pandemic, Adherence strategies for PLHIV during the pandemic and several sessions were delivered on developments in the management of COVID-19. 

About C-TECH

Caribbean Training and Education Center for Health (C-TECH) is a regional organization based in Jamaica that partners with government, academic and civil society organizations to support strong health systems and a skilled and empowered health care workforce to improve the health of communities within the Caribbean. C-TECH implements innovative projects and programmes on HIV prevention, care and treatment programmes and has now expanded its scope to include chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

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A stressful work environment can contribute to several health issues both mentally and physically, these may include headache, insomnia, stomach-aches, anxiety, difficulty concentrating high blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. 

It is important then that we take meaningful steps to ensure that we are manging our own personal space to avoid some of these issues. Our assumption, perception and expectation affect how we react to others and life situations and ultimately how we view how jobs. When assumption, expectations and perceptions are not met, we respond through our thought’s feelings and behaviours. It is important to practice positive thinking as our thoughts affects how we feel, and our feelings affects how we behave.

Here are some tips to help you with your work environment:

  • Seek for clarity instead of trying to convince yourself of what others are thinking
  • Refrain from personalisation, not everything mentioned is a direct attack on you
  • Invest in self care
  • Set limits
  • Proper nutrition
  • Connect with people

We often here people expressing how stressed they are feeling or how over worked they are, not having enough time to do the things they like such as spending time with friend and families or even a few self-care activities. We have watch families suffer due to long working hours as well as our jobs due to loss of interest and enthusiasm resulting from burnout. 

When workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are more likely to stay in their jobs.

Here is how you can accomplish work life balance

At work    

  • Set manageable goals each day. 
  • Be efficient with your time at work. 
  • Take five. 
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Give yourself a break. 

         At Home

  • Don’t over commit. 
  • Get support. 
  • Stay active. 
  • Treat your body right. 
  • Get help if you need it. 

Tameca Dempster-Mattocks is an accomplished Associate Counseling Psychologist and Financial Counsellor, holding an M.Sc. Degree in Counselling and Social Work from Mico University College, along with multiple certifications in mental health from the University of Washington.

 

Currently, she holds the positions of Regional Psychologist – NERHA and Mental Health Program Coordinator at the Caribbean Training & Education Center for Health (C-TECH). Tameca has successfully managed regional mental health projects, overseeing and leading impactful initiatives that positively influence the mental well-being of individuals in the region. 

 

With a passion for community service, Tameca actively contributes to various private and charitable organizations, dedicating her time as a volunteer to support community members and at-risk youth.

Contact us for mental health support services

Telephone #: 8764161449

Email: wellness@ctech-caribbean.org