If we all agree that we should recognize mental issues for what they are — serious medical issues that deserve treatment not judgement — then why are we not doing more to care for the mental health of the health care workers who are providing such care?
A group of leading health care organizations is working to do something about that.
In recognition of Mental Health Action Day, the Medical Society of New Jersey, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey State Nurses Association and Johnson & Johnson this week announced a new statewide initiative with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to address stigmatizing policies and practices that discourage health workers from seeking mental health care.
The ALL IN: Caring for New Jersey’s Caregivers initiative seeks to make New Jersey the best state in the country for our health care workforce’s mental health and well-being.
Corey Feist, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, said the group is honored to collaborate with New Jersey’s leading health care organizations to build a system that prioritizes mental health for those who care for us day in and day out.
“Together, we can make New Jersey the best state for our health care workforce’s wellbeing and, ultimately, ensure quality, safe patient care for every New Jerseyan.” he said.
New Jersey’s health workers deserve the right to pursue mental health care privately. However, overly invasive mental health questions in licensing and credentialing applications prevent health workers from seeking support and increase the risk of suicide.
Together, these leading organizations are working with the State of New Jersey Legislature to change this for all current and future licensed health care workers by introducing S.4286/A.5594.
Cathy Bennett, CEO of the N.J. Hospital Association, notes the state’s health care professionals provide essential care, often under emergent, highly charged circumstances.
“Their mental well-being must be a top priority,” she said. “Removing unnecessary and stigmatizing mental health questions from state licensing applications is a commonsense step toward creating a culture where healthcare workers feel safe seeking care. By supporting this legislation, we can build a stronger, more resilient health care workforce for the future.”
Judy Schmidt, CEO of the N.J. State Nurses Association, obviously agreed.
“Reforming mental health-related licensing questions is not just a policy update — it’s a moral imperative,” she said. “Nurses deserve the same privacy and protection around mental health care as the patients they serve. We fully support legislation that upholds that principle.”
Health systems, hospitals, and medical groups are encouraged to use the Foundation’s free resources to audit and change their credentialing applications and peer reference forms to be free of intrusive mental health questions and stigmatizing language. By verifying the applications, they can be recognized as Wellbeing First Champions and showcase how their organization is committed to protecting their health workers’ mental health.
Larry Downs, CEO of the Medical Society of New Jersey, said it’s time to change the narrative.
“A culture that punishes vulnerability has no place in modern medicine,” he said. “By reforming outdated policies, we’re not only protecting the mental health of our physicians, we’re building a system where strength and resilience include the courage to ask for help.”
Tyla Minniear, the chief operating officer of the N.J. Health Care Quality Institute, agreed.
“We know that the well-being of our health care workforce is vital to high-quality care,” she said. “Outdated and stigmatizing credentialing practices discourage healthcare workers from seeking the mental health support they deserve in their often high-pressure, demanding professions.
“The ALL IN initiative represents a critical step toward creating a culture of safety and support, one where healthcare professionals can prioritize their mental health.”
