Toward a Flourishing, Fulfilled, and Effective Behavioral Health Workforce
Research-Based Strategies for Preventing and Mitigating Professional Distress in Addiction and Mental Health Work
The United States confronts a crisis of behavioral health, embodied most devastatingly in high rates of death from overdose and suicide. The behavioral health workforce is projected to continue to face shortfalls in meeting the need for behavioral health services. Increased reimbursements and compensation are necessary but not sufficient to address behavioral health workforce shortages. We must also address the high risk for burnout and other forms of professional distress that makes working in these professions less appealing and sustainable.
This report identifies research-backed strategies and practices at the professional, organizational, and systems levels for reducing the harm of professional distress and building a workforce that is flourishing, fulfilled, and effective:
- Professionals: Focus on wellbeing, build resilience, and offer wellbeing support at work.
- Organizations: Check in about stress, help people connect, and put them in positions to succeed.
- Systems: Invest in wellbeing, promote competence, and balance demands with resources.
What is aĀ WELL Workforce?
Now that you know what the science says we can do to support a flourishing, fulfilled, and effective behavioral health workforce, you may be wondering how we translate that to action.Ā
The WELL framework, based on our research, is a frameworkĀ for comprehensively supporting behavioral health professionals to mitigate professional distress,Ā enhance professional development, and promote behavioral health serviceĀ excellence.
Learn More