Why Mental Health Matters for Healthcare Workers – How You Can Help

Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others, yet many struggle with burnout, stress, and mental health challenges. Long hours, high patient loads, and the pressure to perform take a toll, but stigma often prevents them from seeking help. Without systemic change, the problem worsens, leading to exhaustion, medical errors, and workforce shortages.

The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Healthcare

Burnout isn’t just feeling tired—it’s chronic emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a loss of purpose. Over 60% of healthcare professionals experience burnout, with many fearing that admitting they need help could harm their careers. The result? A workforce struggling in silence.

How the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation is Leading Change

Dr. Lorna Breen was an emergency room physician working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite her professional success, she struggled with the overwhelming stress of her job and, like so many healthcare workers, found it difficult to seek help. Her tragic passing in 2020 highlighted the urgent need for mental health support within the medical community.

In response, the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation was created to honor her legacy and fight for better mental health resources for healthcare professionals. The foundation works to:

✔ Reduce burnout by advocating for workplace reforms and policy changes
✔ Eliminate stigma around seeking mental health support in healthcare
✔ Improve access to mental health resources for medical professionals
✔ Shift the narrative so that prioritizing mental well-being is seen as a strength, not a weakness

By raising awareness and implementing real changes, the foundation aims to create a healthcare system where workers feel supported—not just as professionals but as people.

Creating Awareness Through Action

Change starts with conversations, and the "Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes" Tee, designed by traveling ICU nurse Lindsey Shelton (Scrubhacks) in collaboration with Dr. Betsy Grunch (Ladyspinedoc), was created to spark them. 

The bold statement on the shirt reminds us that change only happens when we demand it—for ourselves and healthcare workers everywhere. Proceeds from this limited-edition tee go directly to the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, helping fund initiatives that support healthcare professionals' mental health.

How You Can Help

Here are ideas for supporting mental health in healthcare:

✔ Advocate for workplace policies that support mental health
✔ Start conversations to break the stigma
✔ Support organizations like the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation
✔ Encourage healthcare workers to seek help without fear

If you’re a healthcare worker, know that seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength. You deserve support, and your well-being matters as much as the patients you care for.

Join the Movement

The push for better mental health support in healthcare is growing—but change takes action. Whether through advocacy, conversation, or direct support, every effort helps move the industry toward a more sustainable, compassionate future.

Learn more about the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation here: DrLornaBreen.org.