Mental Health Services Urged for Frontline Health Professionals

To address mental health needs of healthcare professionals on the frontlines of fighting COVID-19, ASCP is working with Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), John Katko (R-NY) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL) to support the introduction of the bipartisan Coronavirus Health Care Worker Relief Act, introduced in the House of Representatives on June 19. ASCP provided its support for a May 4 letter from Representative Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) to House leadership to pave the way for this legislation. ASCP also worked with Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s office to broaden the scope of this initiative to ensure all healthcare workers providing patient care services, not just those treating patients, would be able to secure coverage for these important services. More recently, ASCP joined with the AMA and more than 130 other medical societies in a June 9 letter supporting this legislation.

In a related matter, a story in the June ePolicy also addressed the mental health issues of healthcare employees who are working extraordinarily long shifts to care for COVID-19 patients. The ASCP Leadership Institute is offering a new free, online courseon burnout that is available for ASCP pathologist and laboratory professional members. The course includes content discussing characteristics, causes and consequences of burnout, as well as its prevention.

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