As you know, supporting the mental health of your team is important.
We are closing out May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, by bringing you some helpful ideas about how ClayLinks Kits can be a powerful tool for supporting your team’s mental and emotional health when used as part of your bereavement support protocol.
Did you know, your team may benefit from the process of making ClayLinks prints while also supporting your patients, clients and their families?
Consider the following thoughts from some of our customers:
Betsy Strafach, Executive Director at 3Hopeful Hearts Bereavement Support says:
“…when a baby died after several weeks in the NICU, I told the charge nurse that I would help the parents make a handprint. Several of the other nurses asked if they could join us and help with the print-making process. They felt that, after caring for this baby for so long, being part of this experience would be healing for them, too. This is a beautiful way to honor a tiny soul who passes all too soon.”
Chris Goes, Funeral Director and Owner of Goes Funeral Care & Crematory says:
“CaringWisdom’s ClayLinks prints are a fresh idea in funeral service. The process of helping a family create an impression of a loved one’s hand is a healing experience, resulting in a one of a kind, lasting and meaningful memento to be kept forever. In this era of increasingly private funeral ceremonies, or even non-existent ceremonies, a family’s participation in the creation of this memento is especially heartfelt and important. And, as an added plus, our companioning a family and assisting in this hands-on process has also been very fulfilling to our staff.”
A Certified Child Life Specialist, Level IV NICU says:
“ClayLinks have taken the stress out of memory work for our child life team. The patties are easy for staff and family members to use, and they create a beautiful keepsake every time.”
As you can see, people tell us it is the process of making a ClayLinks Print that promotes healing for team members after patient loss. Spending a short amount of time making a print with the family or that they can be proud to present may make a long-term difference for team members. It gives them something to do when there is nothing to say.
Your team members can benefit directly from this process by knowing they are making a genuine difference for families. All of the resources, tools and products we offer are intended to support your team as they support families. Tools like our Memory-Making Kits can give your staff members what they need to feel confident in their ability to support a grieving family. This may have a positive effect on their mental and emotional wellness as well as increase job satisfaction.
Please, reach out about your mental health
Because it is Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to offer this reminder. If you, or anyone you know, is struggling or considering suicide, please find support. The number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
We hope this information has been helpful to you. Though we are not a crisis center, please know we are here to support you in other ways and always welcome questions and feedback. For example, if there are other resources, support tools or products you’d like to see us create or find for you, don’t hesitate to let us know.
Until next time,
Bryn Frisina
Chief Growth Officer
World by the Tail, Inc.
