Friends Hospital

We celebrated our staff with our annual Staff Holiday Party! Even with masks, we could see the smiles and holiday cheer all around. Thank you to our wonderful staff for keeping up our patients' and each other's spirits during this interesting season!

Are you excited for the snow today? Be safe out there! The Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services has declared a #CodeBlue, which enacts special measures to keep people who are homeless safe through extreme cold conditions. If you see a person who appears to homeless during a Code Blue, please call the Homeless Outreach hotline at 215-232-1984.

This holiday season, please consider only celebrating in-person with your immediate household. If you are going to be visiting with others, make sure you are taking safety precautions as recommended by the CDC. For more ways to stay well this season, visit https://bit.ly/StayHealthythisHoliday.

Are you or a loved one experiencing a mental health crisis? Do not delay in seeking help. We are fully operational and ready to provide assessments and services. Call us 24/7 at (215) 831-4600. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking proactive steps to keep our patients and team members safe, including screening all individuals upon entering the facility. For more information, read our full Health Alert at bit.ly/fhCOVID19update. Our compassionate professionals are ready to help you today.

While the hospital is decorated for the holidays, it feels a little different this year. Our toy soldiers were lonely so Human Resources Director Danielle Jervis and Director of Business Development Liz Uffner showed them some love!

Having good self care strategies can help you be prepared for stressful situations, but sometimes that's not enough. If you're overwhelmed or experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call us 24/7 at (215) 831-4600. Your health and safety are our top priorities, so we are taking proactive steps to keep our patients and team members safe, including screening all individuals upon entering the facility. Read our full Health Alert at bit.ly/fhCOVID19update. We're here for you when you need us.

Thank you to our hardworking Pharmacy team during #NationalPharmacyWeek! Their efforts are vital to our care services and we appreciate them as a valued part of the Friends family.

A fun and spooky Halloween can also be safe! What are some alternatives to help your family make the most of the holiday? Find guidance from the CDC at https://bit.ly/HolidayCelebrations2020.

The CDC shares, "The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus." With that said, remember to wash your hands and remain six feet or more apart from people. Since there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, we want to encourage you to get your flu shot. To learn more about how to remain safe, read http://bit.ly/ProtectYourselfandOthers.

Youth who are bullied are at an increased rate for mental health problems. As a parent, you may feel helpless and unsure how to rectify the situation. There are ways for adults to stop bullying and help children cope with teasing or bullying and help to lessen its lasting impact. See how you can get more involved and be part of the solution at http://bit.ly/BullyingPrevention2020.

We appreciate the work our marketing team does keeping us connected with our community! While they were hard at work during our recent NAMIWalks Your Way, they did get a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather and meet with our friends at NAMI Philadelphia, including local mental health advocate Miss Liberty Bell, Jenna Martorana! Thank you all for the work you do keeping mental health in the forefront of our healthcare conversations.

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain proactive in keeping our patients and team members safe, including screening all individuals upon entering the facility. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, do not delay in seeking help. Call us 24/7 at (215) 831-4600. We are fully operational and ready to provide assessments and services. For more information, read our full Health Alert at bit.ly/fhCOVID19update. And remember, we are here for you.

After our #NAMIWalksYourWay last week, staff were provided flu shots! Here is Community Liaison Karen Irwin proudly showing off her flu shot sticker! Haven't gotten yours yet? Find information for flu shots in Philadelphia here https://bit.ly/PhillyFluShots2020.

Good hand hygiene is important to help stem the spread of illness and infections. Wash your hands and learn more about why we recognize #GlobalHandwashingDay every year: http://bit.ly/GlobalHandwashDay/

Meet our LGBTQ Navigator for Friends Hospital, Sarah Ward! You can learn more about the considerations and accommodations made for our LGBTQ+ patients, including Sarah's supportive role, at our website: https://bit.ly/FriendsLGBTQ.

Stop. Take a breath. Repeat. #Breathe

How are you helping your teen through this challenging year? This article from UNICEF offers guidance on how parents can support their teens, and themselves, during difficult times.

World Mental Health Day 2020 asks us to look at how we can better invest in our mental health, both globally and personally. With the realities of COVID-19 challenging many aspects of our lives and support systems, it is more important than ever to implement good self-care practices and reach out for help when you need it. Know that we are here for you and your loved ones, ready to provide the compassionate care you deserve. Call us any time at (215) 831-4600. Learn more about how you can recognize World Mental Health Day from the World Health Organization (WHO): https://bit.ly/WMHDInfo2020.