Record Number of Licensure Boards Take Action

As of September 1, 34 licensure boards and 375 hospitals have verified their licensing or credentialing applications are free from intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language. This is important and timely news given Suicide Prevention Month is coming to a close, but also because ANA has historically supported the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act: ANA Applauds Signing of Lorna Breen Protection Act | ANA (nursingworld.org) - legislation that established evidence-based education and awareness initiative to encourage health care professionals to seek support and care for their mental health and substance use concerns.

President JMK was quoted in this release: "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."

For resources, please check out https://drlornabreen.org/removebarriers/ to learn more.