Mental Health Resources and Support for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

WHEREAS, many nurses and healthcare staff often experience high volumes of moral injury, burnout, stress, anxiety and trauma related to the demands of the workplace; and

WHEREAS, many evidence-based studies identify that psychological distress and nurse burnout have increased tremendously because of workplace traumatic experiences and stressors. According to the American Nurses Association, 62 percent of nurses experienced burnout in a survey conducted in 2020. Many factors contributed to this, including chronic workplace stress; intensive emotional, spiritual and physical demands; and providing high-acuity care to patients who are deteriorating rapidly; and

WHEREAS, healthcare workers, including nurses, lack access to resources to discuss the traumatic events that occur during their shift, such as resuscitating a patient unsuccessfully and taking care of end-of-life patients while providing emotional and spiritual support to the family and loved ones. Healthcare professionals also do not have the resources or sufficient amount of time to mentally and emotionally process the difficult events that occurred throughout their shift; and

WHEREAS, live mental health support for healthcare workers is often unavailable or inaccessible during any given shift and time:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will assist locals with creating contractual language that supports nonpunitive access to mental health resources during any shift; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will implement changes in the healthcare system by supporting staff who participate in mental health programs, such as:

• Live counseling and crisis support;
• Encourage hospitals to provide staff with healthy food options; and
• Support locals with negotiations for paid mental health days.

Adopted July 19, 2026