Moral Health

I had not heard of the concept of “Strategic Overburden” until I read this compelling piece. Per the extremely wise Michelle Bernabe, RN, KAT :”Strategic overburden emphasizes the systemic nature of excessive demands placed on healthcare providers. The term "strategic" implies that this overburden results from deliberate choices made at organizational and policy levels within the medical industrial complex, often prioritizing profit over caregiver well-being and care quality. Manifestations of strategic overburden include: -Understaffing to maximize profit margins -Excessive documentation requirements driven by billing concerns -Inadequate investment in essential medical equipment - Limited time for patient encounters to maximize billable visits”

In healthcare and beyond a crisis unfolds. We call it 'compassion fatigue' and 'burnout,' but are these labels masking a deeper truth? My latest article challenges this notion: What if compassion doesn't fatigue? What if our systems do? Drawing from frontline nursing experience, insights from Harvard Divinity School, and Farmer Rishi Kumar I've named a startling reality: our caregivers aren't burning out—they're being strategically overburdened. My insights: -The real cause behind caregiver distress -Why a language shift to “strategic overburden” and “systems fatigue” is important -Why resilience training alone might be missing the mark -Why systems focused on profit at the expense of caregivers are not the best business models It's time to reframe the conversation around caregiver well-being. The problem isn't in the hearts of our healers, but in the systems that, through many macro and micro decisions, choose to overburden them. Thoughts? I'd love to hear your perspective on this critical issue! https://lnkd.in/e84sq3_4 #HealthcareReform #CargiverWellbeing #StrategicOverburden #SystemsFatigue #NursesonLinkedIn #CompassionFatigue #Burnout

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had 2 suicide attempts as a teenager and struggled with depression throughout his life. At the "Inconvenient King" event this weekend at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, I gained a deeper understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s battles with mental health. My latest Substack, "The Lesser-Known King: Mental Health Struggles and the Power of Creative Maladjustment," explores this aspect of his life and why it was foundational to the deep empathy that shaped his transformative leadership. The post also delves into King's philosophy of creative maladjustment, which presents a compelling challenge to traditional psychology. Instead of viewing mental health struggles solely as symptoms of individual illness, King's perspective urges us to consider how these struggles are often deeply rooted in societal issues. This approach recognizes that psychological distress can stem from systemic injustices such as racism, poverty, and discrimination. King's own experiences with mental health informed his understanding that sometimes, being maladjusted to certain societal norms is not a sign of psychological weakness or illness, but a necessary stance against oppressive and unjust systems. "You who are in the field of psychology have given us a great word. It is the word maladjusted." His philosophy invites a reconsideration of modern mental health norms, suggesting that our psychological well-being is inextricably linked to the societal context in which we live. #MartinLutherKingJr #CreativeMaladjustment #MentalHealth #SocialJustice #Leadership #Psychology #MentalHealthInHistory #CivilRights #EmpathyInLeadership #ChallengingNorms #Nursing #NursesOnLinkedIn

As 2023 draws to a close, it's a time for reflection on my passion project, Moral Health. This year has been filled with growth, engaging conversations, and embracing the transformative power of narrative medicine. Our journey this year included deep dives into themes like 'Navigating Moral Health in a Traumatized World' and 'The Right to Pleasure in Healthcare.' These articles reflect our commitment to enriching the narrative around healthcare, spirituality, and business. A remarkable highlight was when author and activist, adrienne maree brown, a patron saint of the Moral Health community, shared our work, amplifying our message to a broader audience. This endorsement was a testament to the resonance and impact of our efforts. Our message also spread through insightful discussions on the Be Better Media, "What I Meant To Say" podcast, and by sharing our perspectives in BenefitsPRO. These platforms allowed us to explore themes AI, healthcare, curiosity, moral leadership, and narrative medicine. We faced challenges, including the badge of honor of receiving hate mail! True to our ethos, we responded with empathy and understanding, turning these moments into opportunities for constructive dialogue. And, it worked! In recent months, we have paused to create space to mourn and cherish the memory of the late Matthew Perry, who was a dear personal friend. His legacy, both inspiring and heroic, will continue to light our path, pushing us to forge ahead with our vision of creating healthcare systems that are not only relentlessly healing but also imbued with a profound sense of helpfulness and humanity. As we look forward, we're excited about our role in the "Rapid-Acting Mental Health Treatment" satellite event at the JP Morgan Health conference, collaborating with David Esselman, Kalli Ortega, Nolan Williams, Owen Muir MD, Grady Hannah, and Carlene MacMillan, MD to name a few! Drawing inspiration from Ben Rector's New Year's lyrics in "The Best Is Yet To Come", let's raise our glasses to new beginnings and the uncharted journey of 2024. Join us as we continue to make strides in healthcare, embracing hope, healing, and heart. #MoralHealth #HealthcareInnovation #NarrativeMedicine #HealthTech #DigitalHealth #HealthLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #HealthcareTransformation #PatientCenteredCare #SystemsChange #MentalHealth #FutureOfHealthcare