July 21, 2021 / Jeff Lagasse, Associate Editor
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration, is earmarking roughly $103 million from the American Rescue Plan over three years to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the healthcare workforce.
The funding is meant to help healthcare organizations establish a culture of wellness among their various workforces, and to support training efforts that build resilience in those just starting their careers. HHS said the investments will take into account the needs of rural and medically underserved communities.
WHAT’S THE IMPACT
The impetus for the move was the wealth of challenges and stresses placed on providers due to high patient volumes, long work hours and other workplace demands, HHS said. These challenges were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have had a disproportionate impact on communities of color and in rural communities.
In an effort to combat this trend, the funding and the programs that go with it will be geared to support the implementation of evidence-informed strategies to help provider organizations respond to stressful situations. The hope is that this will allow them to avoid burnout and foster healthy workplace environments that promote mental health and resilience.
There are three funding opportunities that are open for applications.
