Dr. Lorna Breen’s Impact on COVID-19 Awareness and Mental Health Continues to Resonate

Five years ago, the streets of New York City, typically filled with vibrant life, fell uncharacteristically silent as the COVID-19 pandemic gained a firm grip on the nation. This pervasive stillness would break each evening at 7 p.m., as residents from their apartments and fire escapes collectively expressed gratitude to the health care workers who tirelessly fought against the virus’s devastating effects. Their acts of clapping, banging pots and pans, and cheering resonated throughout the city, sharply contrasting with the grim reality of hospitals overwhelmed with patients.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New York City emerged on March 1, 2020, setting off a cascade of sickness and loss. By mid-April, the toll had escalated dramatically, with tens of thousands infected and over 2,000 fatalities reported. Health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, faced not only a relentless battle against a novel virus but also a critical shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other essential medical supplies. Each day presented unimaginable challenges, underscoring the crucial need for support from the community.

Tragically, the health crisis took a personal toll when Dr. Lorna Breen of NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital died by suicide on April 26, 2020. Her passing, which shocked the city and the nation, highlighted the severe mental health crises faced by medical professionals inundated with trauma and stress. Breen had been working exhausting 12-hour shifts amidst harrowing circumstances, administering care to patients who succumbed to the virus in the hospital’s corridors.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Breen herself contracted COVID-19, further intensifying her anxiety and exhaustion. During her isolation, she confided her feelings to her sister, revealing fears that seeking help for her distress could jeopardize her career—a genuine concern shared by many in the health profession. The stigma surrounding mental health and its impact on professional licensing became painfully evident after her death, prompting an outpouring of shared experiences from health care workers nationwide.

In response to the public discourse ignited by Breen’s tragic passing, her family established the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. Its mission centers on improving mental health care accessibility for health care workers, advocating for policies that enhance workplace conditions, and dismantling the barriers that prevent medical professionals from prioritizing their mental health.

Through this initiative, substantial progress has been made. Over 40 state licensing boards, along with more than 500 hospitals, have revised their protocols related to mental health disclosures, safeguarding approximately 1.25 million health care workers. Furthermore, the foundation played a pivotal role in advocating for the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, passed by Congress in 2022, which aims to bolster mental well-being and mitigate suicide risks among health care providers. The foundation’s outreach efforts have trained 35,000 health care leaders to foster systemic changes under the Caring for Caregivers program and the Impact Wellbeing Guide.

In 2023, Jennifer Breen Feist and J. Corey Feist received the Surgeon General’s Medallion, the highest civilian honor bestowed by a U.S. surgeon general, in recognition of their impactful work. Nevertheless, challenges remain as the health care workforce continues to grapple with high-pressure conditions, often reporting that their situations are now more dire than during the peak of the pandemic.

As the five-year anniversary of Dr. Lorna Breen’s passing approaches, her family remains committed to advocating for her legacy by working to improve the mental health landscape for healthcare workers. They emphasize the pivotal nature of Lorna’s story, which has provided hope and has been a lifeline for many in the health profession. The call for renewed focus on mental health within the industry echoes loudly as health care providers navigate their demanding roles in a still-challenging environment.

Media News Source