To curb the spread of COVID-19 inside the San Luis Obispo County Jail, staff followed measures recommended by the CDC and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The resulting increased isolation and decreased programming led to more mental health symptoms, causing the team to rethink the balance between infection control and wellness. This talk will take participants through that journey, using data, anecdotes, and best practices.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the mental health effects of the COVID pandemic in congregate settings
• Examine techniques to mitigate the mental health effects of infectious disease protocols
• Discuss how following data in real time can assist with timely interventions to prevent poor outcomes

Level

Intermediate