The following webpage contains COVID-19 guidance developed for students, faculty, staff, residents and fellows at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). This guidance was periodically reviewed and updated between March 2020 and June 2024.

Last Updated: 08-17-2022


Many people are experiencing stress and anxiety as a result of COVID-19. During challenging times like this, self-care is more important than ever. Below are some resources that can help you and your family manage your stress and bolster your resiliency.

Crisis management

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Help for families and children

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Self-help training

  • National Medical Reserve Corps.: It was founded after 9/11 and has affiliates nationwide. Forty percent of its members are non-clinicians. Required online training enables people without formal medical training to assist with, e.g., virtual or live Red Cross efforts, phone banks, special needs populations, shelters, public education, and points of distribution (POD’s) for emergency supplies, etc. 
  • “Psychological First Aid” certification: This viral pandemic has caused a mental health pandemic. Contributing factors in medical schools and teaching hospitals include the loss of research activities that sometimes define basic scientists and graduate students; the loss of live teaching and mentoring for our learners; and the loss of social interactions with the community of scholars. These interact with other mental health risk factors such as previously diagnosed and undiagnosed behavioral conditions and the actual or potential loss of income. This psychological pandemic will increase the risk of suicide, which kills more Americans than the opioids, and promote other negative coping strategies.
  • Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training: It was originally designed as a jail diversion program for first responders dealing with challenging behaviors. However, it is highly relevant to non-clinical faculty, staff and students. Furthermore, the use of positive behavioral controls is highly relevant to caregivers and advocacy groups like those affiliated with the American Brain Coalition. Online CIT certification training courses are available and cost less than $100. 

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