Fixing mental health care during Covid and beyond
COVID-19
Dear NUHW Member:
The coronavirus is reshaping health care in our country. With more than 4,000 mental health clinicians in our ranks, NUHW is keenly aware that no sector of the healthcare industry is more in need of reform and more prone to collapse under the pressure of COVID-19 than mental health care.
We consulted with NUHW members to craft six recommendations for addressing the underlying issues that keep people from getting the mental health care they need now and that will only get worse as the pandemic grinds on.
Our recommendations include:
- Programs to help expand and diversify the ranks of clinicians and expand care to regions where clinician shortages are most severe.
- Better laws safeguarding the right to receive mental health care and better enforcement of existing laws.
- More worker input into how mental health care is delivered and guarantees that essential workers putting their lives at risk during the pandemic will have access to mental health care.
The pandemic is one of the worst public health crises we’ve experienced, but in any crisis there is opportunity for real reform. That includes achieving Health Care and Mental Healthcare for All.
If you have any COVID-19 related questions or concerns, contact us at COVID19@nuhw.org.
In Unity,
Sal Rosselli, President, National Union of Healthcare Workers
Sophia Mendoza, Secretary-TreasurerNational Union of Healthcare Workers