At AHCA/NCAL, supporting our nation's caregivers and their health and well-being is crucial.​ Since the pandemic began, symptoms of psychological unwellness have increased 3-fold for the United States population at large. This increase in symptoms is even more pronounced in health care professionals, including those working in long term care settings. Multiple barriers exist for health care workers to get mental health care: financial, lack of time, and concerns for professional and personal consequences.

AHCA/NCAL is excited to share information about a free resource for long term care providers. The Emotional PPE Project is a volunteer-run organization providing a public online directory of volunteer licensed mental health clinicians. Any US worker in a health care-related field, including long term care, that is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is welcome to directly contact the therapists listed in the directory for no cost, no insurance, confidential teletherapy. Resources to promote this program to staff are available on the AHCA/NCAL website.

Finally, AHCA/NCAL offers a resource that helps residents impacted by this pandemic. The recently released Trauma Informed Care (TIC) Training contains simple foundational steps and practical recommendations for implementing a TIC program that can help improve resident outcomes. Individuals will learn how to screen and assess for trauma and incorporate TIC into the discharge process. There also is a focus on building awareness of TIC among staff to help them deliver appropriate care and deliver meaningful activities and other services from a TIC perspective. This nine-module online course was developed through a joint collaboration between AHCA/NCAL and the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN). The training is designed to educate long term care providers and nurses about how to implement TIC in their facilities with staff who are appropriately trained and competent to care for residents who are at risk for re-traumatization.