National Medical Enterprises

 

BRODY P.R. PRODUCED PRESS MATERIALS THAT WERE USED AT HUNDREDS OF NME HOSPITALS

 

Surviving the Workplace of the 90s

City, State (Date) -- In this era of downsizing, rightsizing, and restructuring, workers are feeling the strain. The single largest contributor of stress, according to a recent study, is factors within one's place of employment or chosen profession. According to (Name of Medical Director) at (Name of Hospital), "Job stress is a national epidemic. Workers often find they have too much to do and too little time." For those who still have jobs, many are overburdened by extra work assigned after colleagues were laid off. Workers must keep up with the new technologies and cope with the practice of electronic job monitoring.

The Cost of Job Stress
The United Nation's International Labor Organization estimated the cost of job stress in the U.S. at $200 billion annually from compensation claims, reduced productivity, absenteeism, added health insurance costs and medical expenses for stress related diseases like ulcers, high blood pressure and heart attack.

"The demands of the job coupled with a lack of control workers have over their jobs, can result in severe stress and anxiety," says (Medical Director). "The consequences may include feelings of irritability, unpredictable explosions of hostility or anger."

Coping With The Loss Of A Job
"After losing a job, or witnessing a co-worker lose their job, you may experience disbelief, anger, grief, and finally acceptance," explains (Medical Director). "Once you've accepted the loss, you can seek out new opportunities."

One of the most important things to remember, according to (Name of Hospital), is do not bring your hostility home with you. Anger over job anxiety can cause increased use of alcohol or drugs, abusive acts, quick tempers, depression, impulsive behaviors, and a loss of self-esteem.

In celebration of May as Mental Health Month (Name of Hospital) is offering free fact sheets on anxiety and depression as a part of their "Learn to Understand Mental Illness" campaign. To receive a copy, call (Name of Hospital) at (xxx)xxx-xxxx.

Easing the Rocky Road to Relocations

City, State (Date) -- Moving to a new city with the promise of a new job and a new beginning may seem glamorous but more than 25% of employees offered a transfer refuse to move. "Relocation is very stressful," explains (Name of Medical Director) at (Name of Hospital). "It means new schools for the kids, a new neighborhood, new co-workers, and finding a new job for the spouse."

According to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 17 million people move each year (Newsday, page 15, 7/4/92). Most employees who have been relocated agree that they experience a certain amount of stress, fear, and uncertainty -- if not outright trauma -- as a result of the move.

Challenges for the Children
"Moving affects the entire family but for children, moving can be especially traumatic," says (Name of Medical Director) at (Name of Hospital).

Moving is like starting over again. Parents may notice that school-age children may regress somewhat by sucking their thumb and teenagers may exhibit behaviors such as moodiness, surliness or depression.

"Severe adjustment problems are rare," explains (Name of Medical Director). "However, if negative reactions to new circumstances seem too extreme or go on too long, parents should consider seeking professional help."

When a family relocates, children have to accommodate to new teachers, break into social cliques and form close relationships, and the family as a whole has to adapt to a new environment. When family problems are not resolved before the move, it can cause a considerable amount of additional stress.

(Name of Medical Director) adds, "I suggest that families try to work specific problems out -- before they get involved in the ordeal of packing, house hunting, and transferring to new jobs and schools." As part of its "Learn To Understand Mental Illness Campaign" (Name of Hospital) is offering free fact sheets on depression in children and childhood phobias. For a free copy, call (Name of Hospital) at (xxx)xxx-xxxx.

FACT SHEET
EASING THE ROCKY ROAD TO RELOCATION

(Name of Hospital) offers parents the following suggestions on how to make the move easier on everyone: