In recognition of Mental Health Action Day, the Medical Society of New Jersey, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute, New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey State Nurses Association, and Johnson & Johnson announced a new statewide initiative with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation to address stigmatizing policies and practices that discourage health workers from seeking mental health care. The ALL IN: Caring for New Jersey’s Caregivers initiative seeks to make New Jersey the best state in the country for our healthcare workforce’s mental health and wellbeing.

New Jersey’s health workers deserve the right to pursue mental health care privately. However, overly invasive mental health questions in licensing and credentialing applications prevent health workers from seeking support and increase the risk of suicide. Together these leading organizations are working with the State of New Jersey Legislature to change this for all current and future licensed healthcare workers with the introduction of S.4286/A.5594.