Wellbeing First Champions Program Addresses Stigma Related to Seeking Mental Health Care—Positively Benefiting More Than 1.1 Million Licensed and 115,000 Credentialed Health Workers Nationwide

Charlottesville, Va. – In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, a national coalition led by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, is proud to announce significant progress in our collective efforts to prevent suicide and better support health workers’ mental health. As part of the coalition’s Wellbeing First Champion Challenge program, 34 licensure boards and 375 hospitals have verified their licensing or credentialing applications are free from intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language as of September 1, 2024.

Wellbeing First Champions for Licensing

• 29 state medical boards have been recognized as Wellbeing First Champions – representing a 16% increase from last year with Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia now recognized.
• For the first time, 1 state dental board (Texas) and 4 state nursing boards (Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma) are recognized as Wellbeing First Champions.
• Additionally, in collaboration with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, state pharmacy boards are actively auditing and verifying their applications to be recognized in the coming year.

Wellbeing First Champions for Credentialing

• 375 hospitals across the country have been recognized as Wellbeing First Champions, representing a 400% increase from last year (75 hospitals).
• Jackson and Coker Locums Tenens and Envision Healthcare also verified their internal applications and forms.
• For the first time, an insurance company (PacificSource Health Plans) is recognized as a Wellbeing First Champion.

Like everyone, health workers deserve the right to pursue mental health care without fear of losing their job. However, overly invasive mental health questions in licensing and credentialing applications prevent health workers from seeking support and increase the risk of suicide. Such questioning tends to be broad or stigmatizing, such as asking about past mental health care and treatment, which has no bearing on a health worker’s ability to provide care and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“The importance of removing these barriers cannot be overstated,” said Corey Feist, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. “Health workers are the backbone of our healthcare system, and their wellbeing is essential to the health of our communities. By eliminating stigmatizing mental health questions from licensing and credentialing processes, we are taking a crucial step toward ensuring that all health workers can seek the care they may need without fear. This progress is a testament to our commitment to protecting those who care for us.”

Licensure boards, hospitals, health systems and insurance companies are encouraged to use the coalition’s licensing and credentialing toolkits to audit and change (as needed) their applications, forms and addendums to be free of intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language. By then verifying the applications with the coalition, they can join the ranks of Wellbeing First Champions and further safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of health workers nationwide.

“The American Medical Association (AMA) has been proud to work alongside the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and so many medical societies and national organizations to take action to remove stigmatizing language on licensing, credentialing and other applications,” said Bruce A. Scott, MD, president of the AMA. “The actions taken now help pave the way for a healthier, safer and more productive physician and healthcare professional workforce. We urge all states, hospitals, health systems, liability carriers and others to join us in this important effort.”

“This coalition is instrumental in the vital work to preserve and protect healthcare workers’ mental health,” said Aisha Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP, president of ACEP. “There are still too many physicians who avoid seeking mental health care out of legitimate fear they could lose their professional license or face career setbacks due to stigma surrounding treatment. Together, we are driving critical changes to reduce barriers to mental health care and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who manage our nation’s healthcare safety net are empowered to seek the mental health care they need and deserve.”

“Physicians and other healthcare professionals face high levels of stress and burnout and are at increased risk for suicide,” said Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, CMO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “AFSP is pleased to join with the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition to help continue the progress of removing unnecessary barriers and ending stigma that prevents healthcare workers from seeking out the mental health and suicide prevention care they need. We call on licensing boards and hospitals to ‘do no harm’ and to join the ranks as a Wellbeing First Champion. We must remove mechanisms that reinforce negative attitudes around mental health and instead encourage those who care for all of us to seek the care they need for themselves.”

“Hospitals and health systems are deeply committed to supporting the mental wellbeing of their workforces. We are seeing more health organizations adopt credentialing applications free from intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language,” said Robyn Begley, AHA chief nursing officer and AONL CEO. “No healthcare worker should feel ashamed or experience barriers in seeking any healthcare services.”

“When nurses and healthcare professionals seek mental health care, they deserve to be free from the fear of losing their licensure or employment. The licensure process should never involve intrusive or stigmatizing questions about mental health and substance use. These questions are unnecessary and perpetuate a harmful trend of healthcare professionals not seeking the care they need,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of ANA. “The American Nurses Association is proud to support the ALL IN coalition, and their work on the Wellbeing First Champions program. This effort reflects a collective and unwavering commitment to advocating for those who dedicate their careers to caring for others.”

“The pharmacy workforce stands alongside our healthcare colleagues as we collectively work to mitigate occupational burnout and prioritize mental health,” said Paul W. Abramowitz, PharmD, ScD (Hon), FASHP, CEO of ASHP. “ASHP is committed to continued collaborations with health systems and state boards of pharmacy to help minimize barriers to pharmacy professionals seeking the mental health care they need.”

“At FIGS, we believe that Awesome Humans—our incredible healthcare professionals—deserve to feel supported in every way possible, especially their mental health. We’re proud to have worked with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to break down barriers that prevent health workers from seeking the care they need. By eliminating stigmatizing questions from licensing and credentialing, we can build a culture that puts their wellbeing first, because when our Awesome Humans are cared for, they can continue to care for all of us,” said Trina Spear, CEO and Co-Founder of FIGS.

“The issue of physician wellness and burnout continues to be one of the most important topics FSMB and state medical boards work to address,” said Humayun Chaudhry, DO, MACP, President and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). “Most state medical boards have made changes to their licensing application questions, including removing probing questions, providing safe haven non-reporting options and including compassionate statements about the importance of seeking treatment. FSMB is pleased to see the progress being made by state medical boards and are committed to the goal of respecting and safeguarding the health of licensees in furtherance of patient safety.”

“We commend and congratulate the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition and the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation on its landmark accomplishment: 34 licensure boards and nearly 400 hospitals adopting best practice recommendations,” said Bruce Cummings, MPH, LFACHE, and Paul DeChant, MD, MBA, co-founders and principals at Organization Wellbeing Solutions. “As long-time healthcare leaders and observers (90+ years of combined experience) we cannot recall any instance of such rapid adoption of a best practice that will so significantly advance clinician wellbeing.”

“There are many industry-level changes that could be made to improve the safety and wellbeing of healthcare team members. Mental health access without fear of stigma and reprisal is a critical step,” said Liz Boehm, executive strategist for the Heart of Safety Coalition and Stryker.

“Physician wellbeing is paramount not only for their own health, but also for the quality of care that they can provide to patients,” said Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. “The Physicians Foundation is dedicated to driving solutions and changes that help physicians prioritize their mental health and reduce the stigma associated with seeking support. We know that this effort takes a community, which is why we’re proud to collaborate with the ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare coalition. Together, we can create a more supportive and sustainable environment that empowers physicians and enables the healthcare system to thrive.”

“At the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, we recognize this crucial moment to address the mental health crisis affecting our healthcare community. Those who dedicate their lives to healing others are now facing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout, and mental health challenges. This month serves as a poignant reminder that compassionate care must extend not only to patients but also to those providing that care,” said Michael Gustafson, MD, MBA, chief executive officer of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.

“Health workers are on the front lines of keeping the rest of us safe and healthy, so it’s great that more attention is being brought to how we can safeguard their mental health,” said Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global. “But we need to maintain the momentum to ensure that all U.S. health workers, regardless of their field or workplace, can receive the mental health support they deserve.”

“While we have made tremendous strides, much more work remains,” Feist said. “The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and the ALL IN coalition will continue to drive solutions that support the mental health of all health workers. We are committed to expanding this work across every facet of the healthcare system, ensuring that these vital professionals can access the care they may need without fear.”

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About ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare
ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare, led by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, is a coalition of national healthcare organizations committed to advancing a state where the healthcare workforce’s wellbeing is prioritized, and individual health workers feel valued and supported so they can sustain their sense of purpose and meaning in their work. Coalition members include AHIP, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Foundation, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, CAA Foundation, CHARM, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Heart of Safety Coalition, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Moral Injury of Healthcare, National Medical Association, National Black Nurses Association, Medicine Forward, Philippine Nurses Association of America, The Physicians Foundation, the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare and Thrive Global.