How 3 Nurses in Georgia Are Using CRM to Alleviate the Mental Health Pandemic

In Georgia, the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® is being used to alleviate the mental health pandemic occurring alongside COVID-19. These efforts are led by Dr. Ingrid M. Duva, RN, MN, Dr. Linda Grabbe, FNP, PMHNP, and CRM Senior Trainer Dr. Jordan R. Murphy, PNP.

The wrath of COVID-19 includes a co-occurring global mental health pandemic, raising the urgency for our health care sector to implement strategies supporting public mental health. In Georgia, a successful nurse-led response to this crisis capitalized on statewide organizations’ existing efforts to bolster well-being and reduce trauma. Partnerships were formed and joint aims were identified to disseminate a self-care modality, the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)®, to organizations and communities throughout the state.

COVID-19 exacerbated stress and trauma universally, creating a secondary pandemic that increased demand for mental health care in a system on the verge of crisis. An intense and immediate need for population well-being support resulted, and subsequent requests for resiliency training quickly followed. In response, three nurses in Georgia certified to teach CRM fast-tracked existing efforts to share this mental wellness training program across their state.

Three nurses, trained in CRM, have been collaborating with organizations in Georgia to deliver CRM trainings. These trainings help individuals (1) understand stress reactions in biological terms, (2) distinguish between sensations of distress and well-being, and 3) use sensory awareness skills to deal with difficult situations.