Free Tools to Support Nurses' Mental Health and Resilience
Learn about the Well-Being Initiative, offering nurses mental health resources and support as they tirelessly care for others throughout the pandemic.
Supporting the Mental Health and Resilience of Nurses
About the Well-Being Initiative
Every day, across the nation, millions of nurses experience extraordinary stress and other impacts to their mental health and well-being as the pandemic continues. The American Nurses Foundation launched the Well-Being Initiative to offer resources that focus on caring for nurses as they tirelessly care for others.
As part of the Well-Being Initiative, the American Nurses Foundation Stress and Burnout Prevention Program supports nurses by addressing burnout, managing stress, and increasing confidence. Take the anonymous Stress Self-Assessent to measure your stress level and receive free access to customizable tools to help you.
Take the confidential Stress Self-Assessment Quiz
New Free App - Vitalize Care
The newest resource to support mental health and well-being is the free Vitalize Care app. The nurse-created app includes several features to help nurses like yourself.
- Mindfulness meditation tracks
- Live peer support
- Group coaching
- Journaling
- Chat stream
To download the free Vitalize Care app now. See the instructions below:
- Scan the QR code or click on the appropriate link that pertains to you.
- App Store link to download the Vitalize Care app
- Google Play link to download the Vitalize Care app
- Download the app.
- Open the app and select "American Nurses Foundation."
- Complete the SMS message verification step.
- Finish the onboarding process.
Enjoy access to the app!
Support. On Your Schedule.
Happy – Call. Connect. Feel better.
Talk to compassionate listeners anytime you need. Confidentially talk about wellness, recovery, and resilience.
Call Toll Free – (833)327-0262
Or text your first name to Happy at (858)367-3001
Moodfit – Tools for Your Mental Health
Receive free access to customizable tools to help you. Mood journals, breathing exercises, CBT thought records, and more will be right at your fingertips.
To learn more, visit getmoodfit.com/anf
Take time for you
Gratitude Practice
Decades of research have shown that practicing gratitude is highly effective in promoting physical and psychological health, both for yourself and your team.
Gratitude Podcasts
Listen to this 9-part podcast mini-series to learn how to implement the gratitude toolkit into your daily life.
Listen here or on your favorite streaming service.
Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Audible Pandora Spotify Sticher
Episodes include:
Ep. 1. The science behind gratitude and why it works
Ep. 2. Why gratitude is a struggle
Ep. 3. Creating a culture of self-compassion and gratitude
Ep. 4. Creating a Plan for Gratitude (How to Start at an Individual level)
Ep. 5. Sharing Gratitude: How to Start with your Team
Ep. 6. How to share gratitude with your team and colleagues
Ep. 7. Gratitude and the nursing student
Ep. 8. Getting creative with the gratitude toolkit
Ep. 9. Creating an organizational plan for gratitude
Gratitude Journey
Review this visual representation of themes covered during the podcasts and how gratitude can benefit you.
Gratitude Toolkit
In partnership with Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, these tools are designed to help you cultivate more gratitude in your life.
Download the toolkit
Read the implementation guide
Address Burnout
The Stress and Burnout Prevention Pilot Program uses the Stress First Aid model to transform organizational culture, removing stigma associated with seeking mental health support. Free materials designed to help normalize nurses' ability to assess their own well-being, and that of their peers, and better connect to mental health resources will be available soon. Read more here.
Better Sleep
Find actionable tips to help boost your relaxation and sleep hygiene.
Mental Health Support
Learn about and locate the support systems and services available to you.
Learn more about how the Foundation is addressing stigma in seeking mental health support.
Dealing with Grief
Five short, powerful videos to bring you timely and necessary grief resources.
View videos and resource guides
After the workday
A Nursing State of Mind Podcasts
In this podcast series, two veteran nurses discuss coping mechanisms with practical ideas to renew our energy, confidence, and passion for nursing.
Episodes include:
- Who is on Your Team
- Balancing Work, Life, and COVID-19
- Hope is an Action Word
- Who Has Time for Self-Care
- Watching Your Emotional Signals
- Reconnect with Your Passion for Nursing
Infographics
Free & Discounted Therapy for Nurses
Therapy Aid Coalition
Pro-bono or low-fee online sessions with a therapist for frontline and essential workers.
Give an Hour
The Hospital Heroes Program provides six hours of free and confidential mental health support to all hospital-based essential employees and their loved ones in NY, NJ, and CT.
Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation
A free nurse wellness initiative from ANA with a multitude of resources to support your well-being.
Nurse Suicide Prevention and Resilience Resource
A new ANA resource for nurses seeking information and tools to address the critical issue of suicide prevention.
Grief
Grief Management After a Nurse’s Death (American Nurse)
Grief Leadership During COVID-19 (Uniformed Service University Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress)
Family Support
Supporting Families of Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19 (Uniformed Service University Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress)
National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Clinical Well-Being
Resources to Support the Health and Well-Being of Clinicians During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Financial Support
Nurses House national fund for Nurses in need of short-term financial assistance due to illness or disability.
ANA Financial Wellness free tools and education for ANA members, sponsored by Prudential
Webinars
Questions? Comments? Compliments?
For questions, comments, and feedback about the Well-Being Initiative and its resources, please contact wellbeing@ana.org.
