PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 20, 2022

Media Contact:
Jamie Morris
Phone: (530) 545-9274
Email: jamie@locuststreet.com

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation Hails $103M HRSA Award to Reduce Burnout, Promote Mental Health and Wellness Among Health Care Professionals

100% of Grant Funds Allocated from Historic Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation today praised the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) for allocating over $100M to reduce burnout and promote mental health and wellness among health care workers.

“On the second anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 patient in the U.S., we are blown away to see the Lorna Breen Act working to prioritize those matters most – our healthcare workforce,” said Corey Feist, co-founder and president of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. “Thank you to the Biden Administration, the congressional champions, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), and Rep David McKinley (R-WV), as well as the overwhelming support from the health care community to raise awareness of the impact COVID-19, has had on our health care professionals by prioritizing their mental health and well-being.”

The $103M allocation, announced earlier today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will provide funding to 46 medical institutions and universities to train health students, residents, or health care professionals in evidence-based strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. The grants will also help improve health care professionals’ well-being and job satisfaction.

“Today demonstrates a momentous shift in how our nation views mental and behavioral health as a holistic and preventative part of health care,” continued Feist. “Statistics show physicians have far higher rates of depression, burnout, and suicide than the general population, yet rarely seek mental health care citing negative consequences in the workplace. These funds go to the root of the problem, implementing mental health resources for our health care workers who need them most.”

Initially allocated from the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (HR 1667), the funds secured during the legislation were designated to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, and mental and behavioral health conditions among health care professionals.

Backed by more than 70 organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, and the American College of Emergency Physicians, the comprehensive legislation is the first of its kind to allocate specific funds towards grants for training health profession students, residents, or health care professionals in evidence-informed strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders.

To learn more about the HRSA grantees, visit https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/health-workforce-resiliency-awards.

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The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation’s mission is to reduce burnout of health care professionals and safeguard their well-being and job satisfaction. We envision a world where seeking mental health services is universally viewed as a sign of strength for health care professionals. For more information or to contact the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, please visit https://drlornabreen.org/.