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CVS to provide more than $1 million to support MH care of health care workers
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
mental health weekly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1556-7583
pISSN - 1058-1103
DOI - 10.1002/mhw.32359
Subject(s) - mental health , health care , covid-19 , pandemic , citation , unit (ring theory) , public relations , psychology , political science , business , medicine , psychiatry , law , mathematics education , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
CVS Health announced on May 4 it is providing more than $1 million in financial aid to organizations devoted to protecting the mental health of health care workers, essential workers in other sectors and seniors during the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Providence Journal reported. The company is also opening access to other programs for employees and U.S. residents. In a media release, the company said its support will help flatten what it described as the “second curve … the less visible but escalating mental health crisis resulting from the COVID‐19 pandemic.” “The wrath of COVID‐19 is not just physical. Mental trauma is the deadly undertow of the pandemic's first wave,” said Karen S. Lynch, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of its Aetna Business Unit. “We are committed to helping our nation rise above this second wave by first providing support for those who need it the most, including heroes on the frontlines and seniors.” Components of the program include a $500,000 contribution from the Aetna Foundation to the Americares COVID‐19 Mental Health and Psychological Support Program “to help frontline health care workers, particularly those who serve low‐income populations, improve their mental health awareness, knowledge and resilience.” CVS Health is increasing support for its own employees to “help build mental health resilience, cope with anxiety and stay connected.”