Key points
The effects of environmental contamination can affect more than just physical health. Experiencing those conditions can create stressful environments. As a health professional, helping patients manage their stress can be vital. ATSDR has provided some tips to help patients as well as managing the toll it can have on you.
You can help your patients manage stress
If your community's air, water, or soil is contaminated (e.g., from a nearby factory), your patients may be facing difficult questions:
- Could chemicals in my community be causing health problems?
- How can I protect myself and my family?
- Where can I get reliable information about what's happening?
During uncertain times, it's normal for people to feel stressed or even overwhelmed. However, environmental contamination concerns can take months or years to address. This means stress may become an ongoing issue for residents who are affected.
As a clinician, you have an important role to play. You have a chance to make a difficult situation a little easier for your patients. In addition to addressing physical health concerns, you can validate your patients' experiences. You can do this by offering support and by helping them manage stress more effectively.
Why stress matters
Stress is a natural response to new, uncertain, or threatening situations, but too much stress can interfere with everyday life. Chronic stress can also raise the risk of health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure.
So, when you're working with communities affected by environmental concerns, keep stress in mind — and be ready to provide support and resources to residents.
Here are a few ways you can support your patients.
Stay informed
Learn about the issue, like cleanup efforts or testing results. You can do this by reviewing information from federal, state, and local environmental and health agencies and local universities. Community groups can provide invaluable experience, support, and firsthand knowledge of your community’s needs.
Acknowledge uncertainty
Patients want to know that you’re taking their concerns seriously. So, show them that you’re listening. Be upfront about what you know and don’t know about potential health risks — and don’t downplay their worries. Instead, acknowledge that dealing with so much uncertainty is hard. Let them know you don’t have all the answers, but that you’re here to help.
Take an exposure history
If your patient may have been around contaminated materials, consider taking an exposure history. This is a record of any of the times the patient has come into contact with the material. You can review ATSDR's guidance on how to take an exposure history.
Share resources wisely
When community members ask for more information about local environmental issues, point them toward reliable resources. These resources can come from environmental and health agencies and other organizations that include specific, realistic action steps. If they mention feeling stressed or overwhelmed, consider sharing resources about stress from environmental contamination — like our Stress Fact Sheet. You'll find it and other resources in our ATSDR Community Stress Resource Center.
If you choose to share resources about stress, be sure to distribute them. Make sure to include resources about the specific contaminants and related health risks that are affecting the community.
Recommend counseling when appropriate
If you’re a primary care provider, consider referring patients who are struggling with stress to a therapist or counselor. Patients who have never been to therapy before may be skeptical or unsure what to expect. Remind them that stress is a completely natural response to this difficult situation, and it’s okay to get help.
Take care of yourself
Addressing patients' concerns can take a toll. If you live in the same community, you may have similar worries about your own health and safety. When you're focused on helping your patients, it's easy to overlook your own needs. Be sure to practice self-care by:
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Staying physically active
- Practicing mindfulness —for example, meditating or journaling
- Making time for other activities that you enjoy
And if you find yourself struggling with stress, reach out to your health care provider for help.