Press Release

MORE THAN 2 MILLION OF OUR COUNTRY’S 22 MILLION HEALTH WORKERS CAN ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WITHOUT FEAR OF PROFESSIONAL REPERCUSSIONS

Wellbeing First Champion Challenge Program Recognizes 60 Licensure Boards and 1,850 Care Facilities for their Commitment to Equal Privacy in Mental Health Care for Health Workers

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, unveiled a monumental achievement in improving access to mental health care for more than 2 million U.S. health workers.

The coalition’s Wellbeing First Champion Challenge program verified 60 licensure boards and 1,850 health systems, hospitals, medical centers, clinics and other care facilities have removed intrusive, stigmatizing mental health questions, including substance use, from their licensing and credentialing applications as of September 19, 2025 — benefiting nearly 1.85 million licensed health workers and 357,000 credentialed health workers, respectively.

“It’s incredible the pace of change that has happened in one year, but the findings from our new Clinician Perceptions of Barriers to Access Mental Health Care report give us undeniable proof that we can’t stop now. The data confirms what we’ve always known: long-standing structural and cultural barriers are actively preventing our healthcare workforce from getting the help they may need,” said Corey Feist, co-founder and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. “Our collective progress is proof change is possible, and this movement is only getting started in breaking down these barriers, empowering our care teams and building a future where a healthy workforce is no longer a goal – it is a reality.”

Wellbeing First Champions for Licensing

There was a notable rise in medical licensure boards since last year, growing from 29 to 40 and now benefiting more than 1 million physicians.
Since last year, the program expanded to the pharmacy profession; nine pharmacy licensure boards are now recognized as Wellbeing First Champions and benefiting 155,000+ pharmacy professionals.
The number of nurse licensure boards increased to six, from four previously, and benefiting nearly 580,000 nurses.
Additionally, the number of dental licensure boards is up to five, from one previously, and benefiting nearly 65,000 dental professionals.
For the first time, we have two states – Idaho and Pennsylvania – that are Wellbeing First Champions across all four professions.

“Consumer protection and public safety are the mission of the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses and the Boards within it,” said Nicki Chopski, health profession’s bureau chief of the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. “Idaho’s health professions’ boards are proud to be recognized as a leader in the effort to provide accountability while also protecting the public health by encouraging licensees to take care of their own health in the process.”

“The Shapiro Administration has continuously shown a commitment to removing unnecessary barriers for qualified professionals to obtain their licenses and begin caring for patients right away. This recognition from the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation is further proof that, under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is leading the nation in supporting healthcare workers’ wellbeing,” said Al Schmidt, secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “I congratulate and applaud everyone at the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, who have worked tirelessly to make the Commonwealth an inclusive and attractive place for health care professionals to work and live.”

Wellbeing First Champions for Credentialing

1,850 health systems, hospitals, medical centers, clinics and other care facilities are recognized as Wellbeing First Champions – marking a significant 393% increase compared to last year (up from 375 hospitals in September 2024) as the program expanded beyond hospitals to verify and recognize all types of inpatient and outpatient care facilities (e.g., surgery centers, ambulatory care centers, urgent care centers, free standing emergency departments).
Jackson and Coker Locum Tenens, Envision Healthcare, Vituity, and LocumTenens.com have also verified their internal applications and forms—benefiting 38,000 health workers.
Additionally, two insurance companies (PacificSource Health Plans and Providence Health Plan) are recognized – benefiting 52,000+ health workers.

“The American Medical Association (AMA) is proud that more than two million physicians and other healthcare workers can now seek mental health support or care for a substance use disorder without fear of professional repercussions. This milestone marks an important step forward in strengthening the healthcare workforce and ensuring better care for all patients. Too many medical students, residents and practicing physicians avoid seeking the care they need out of fear of losing licensing or hospital privileges,” said Bobby Mukkamala, MD, president of the American Medical Association. “The AMA remains committed to working with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and our partners to eliminate all stigmatizing questions from licensing and credentialing applications so every physician and healthcare worker can seek care safely and without stigma.”

“We applaud the incredible accomplishments of the ALL IN coalition this past year, and as a member, appreciate how the work of this group aligns with AANA’s mission to help drive access to resources and information that empower healthcare professionals to thrive both professionally and personally,” said Jeff Molter, MBA, MSN, CRNA, president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. “Like so many healthcare providers, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) face immense stress and burnout, and it’s crucial that we create systems and support networks that reduce stigma and prioritize their wellness and mental health so they, in turn, can provide the best care to the patients they serve.”

“Our collective action is making mental health care more accessible for healthcare workers around the country,” said L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “ACEP is proud to stand with our coalition partners to break down systemic barriers so that healthcare workers are empowered to prioritize their own health and wellbeing. We must continue this progress so that emergency physicians and others can get the mental health care they need and deserve without fear of stigma or professional repercussions. “

“We commend the work of this coalition that has helped dental and other healthcare professionals face mental and behavioral health conditions without fearing for potential career repercussions for seeking the care they need to protect their health and wellbeing,” said Brett H. Kessler, D.D.S. president of the American Dental Association (ADA). “The American Dental Association congratulates those licensure agencies, especially the agencies that have removed stigmatizing language from dental and dental hygiene applications, and the healthcare facilities that have endorsed new programs to help the millions of healthcare workers in need.”

“Currently less than one third of physicians and trainees who have mental health conditions seek help or get treatment in spite of suicide being a leading cause of death, especially amongst resident physicians,” states Christine Yu Moutier, MD, chief medical officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Removing illegal, intrusive questions about mental health treatment from licensing and credentialing applications is opening up a path for potentially lifesaving treatments for all health workers. We need to keep making progress to ensure all health workers don’t fear jeopardizing their professions when seeking needed mental health.”

“Today, 2 million healthcare professionals can seek mental health support without fear of judgment or professional repercussions. That progress is deeply meaningful,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association. “It reflects a culture shift that says to every healthcare worker that your life, your wellbeing and your humanity matter. The American Nurses Association is proud to stand with this coalition in ensuring that no one has to choose between their career and their mental health.”

“The Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) stands together with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation in advancing efforts to remove intrusive health questions from licensure applications—a vital step toward reducing stigma and ensuring that healthcare professionals can access care without fear. Building on FSPHP’s work in this space for many years, the LBF’s leadership in scaling this initiative nationally has been transformative,” said Michael Baron, MD, MPH, DFASAM, FAPA, president of the Federation of State Physician Health Programs. “We are proud to align with this work, which reflects the longstanding mission of our member Physician Health Programs to provide confidential, compassionate access to care for physicians in need.”

“It’s encouraging to see an increasing number of hospitals and health systems become Wellbeing First Champions. As more healthcare institutions remove intrusive language from licensure and credentialing applications, we move closer to normalizing conversations about mental health and improving access to mental health care for clinicians and other care team members,” said Liz Boehm, executive strategist of the Heart of Safety Coalition and Stryker.

“The ALL IN: Wellbeing First for Healthcare movement led by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation has been a national leader in breaking down barriers to mental health care for physicians. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Corey Feist, the CEO, for his tireless advocacy work across the country,” said Paul DeChant, MD, MBA and Bruce Cummings, MPH, LFACHE, co-founders and principals of Organizational Wellbeing Solutions.

“It’s powerful to see the momentum that’s happened over the past year—more health systems embracing wellbeing champions, reduced stigma around seeking mental health care, and tangible steps to cut low-value administrative burden,” said Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. “This progress proves what’s possible when leaders prioritize physician wellbeing. Now we must accelerate it with continued proactive, system-level efforts to strengthen physician wellbeing, reduce the risk of tragic outcomes and sustain a healthy, effective workforce.”

“At the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, we know that healthcare professionals face unique pressures that can impact their mental health, and we must create environments where seeking support is normalized and encouraged. Through initiatives like our Schwartz Rounds program, we are committed to fostering a culture where healthcare workers feel safe to speak openly about their struggles and know that help is always available,” said Michael Gustafson, MD, MBA, CEO of the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.

If you or someone you know may be in a crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

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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 organizations dedicated to advancing a state where the healthcare workforce’s wellbeing is prioritized, and health workers feel valued and supported so they can sustain their sense of purpose and meaning in their work. Coalition members include American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Dental Association, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Psychiatric Association Foundation, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, American Urological Association, CAA Foundation, CHARM, Emergency Nurses Association, Epic, Federation of State Physician Health Programs, FEMinEM, FIGS, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Heart of Safety Coalition, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Johnson & Johnson Foundation, Medicine Forward, Moral Injury of Healthcare, National Black Nurses Association, National Medical Association, Organizational Wellbeing Solutions, Philippine Nurses Association of America, The Physicians Foundation, The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare, Surgeon Well-Being Coalition and Thrive Global Foundation.