Health Workers Also Require Care: Safeguarding Their Mental Health
In the field of healthcare, the mental health of health workers frequently remains in the background compared to their focus on patients. Corey Feist, co-founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation, alongside physician advocate Kim Downey, explores this critical matter in their article “Health Workers Also Require Care: Safeguarding Their Mental Health.” Citing CDC statistics, they disclose that the mental health dilemma affecting healthcare providers is greater than in any other industry, with merely 38% of affected individuals pursuing assistance. The dialogue highlights the considerable stress and stigma that health workers encounter, as well as the systemic obstacles hindering them from seeking support.
Corey and Kim present tangible solutions through their initiative “Health Workers Have Rights Too,” which seeks to foster a nurturing environment. They propose six essential measures, which include confidential peer support, eliminating intrusive mental health inquiries from licensing applications, and guaranteeing that care is accessible and affordable for a 24/7 workforce. The initiative stresses that, to guarantee patient safety, the healthcare system must prioritize the mental health of its personnel.
Corey Feist recounts his experience in co-founding the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation following the heartbreaking suicide of his sister-in-law, Dr. Lorna Breen, who faced mental health challenges after her service on the COVID-19 frontline. The foundation advocates for systemic reforms in healthcare to safeguard mental health, concentrating on collaboration, accelerating solutions, and removing penalties.
Through the All In for Mental Health campaign, the foundation has outlined six vital actions for healthcare entities: guaranteeing access to mental health services outside of standard working hours, offering confidential support programs, ensuring mental health privacy is upheld, fostering peer support, promoting mental health education, and creating supportive reentry routes. These initiatives aim to empower health workers to obtain essential help without fear of job-related consequences.
The conversation encourages healthcare organizations to adopt these changes, underscoring that protecting the mental health of healthcare workers is essential for sustaining a thriving, empathetic healthcare system. The ultimate aim is evident: to foster a culture that honors and cares for the mental health of those committed to our care.