WHEREAS: 

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed longstanding issues regarding a lack of access to appropriate mental health and substance use disorder treatment; and  

WHEREAS: 

Patients who need behavioral health treatment can only access care when there is a well-trained and adequately sized workforce to provide such care; and 

WHEREAS: 

There has been an increase in the use of registered apprenticeships to train behavioral health professionals for entry and advancement in the field; and 

WHEREAS: 

The Health Resources and Services Administration estimates that over 169 million individuals reside in places designated as mental health professional shortage areas and an estimated 8,000 professionals are needed to address the shortage. In 2021, fewer than half of individuals with a mental illness were able to access care in a timely manner, with access even worse for individuals with a substance use disorder; and 

WHEREAS: 

Understaffing in inpatient and residential behavioral health facilities represents an acute worker safety issue while compromising the quality of care provided to patients. The rate of non-fatal workplace violence is four times higher in mental health than the national average; and 

WHEREAS: 

Poor working conditions and a lack of professional development opportunities push many providers and other staff away from the behavioral health field and serve to undermine any investments made in growing the pipeline of workers; and 

WHEREAS: 

Employers are mounting aggressive anti-union campaigns to deter behavioral health workers from organizing; and  

WHEREAS: 

Peers, counselors, therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists all have a role to play in providing compassionate care to address behavioral health needs.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 

That AFSCME supports policies at the state and federal level to invest in the recruitment, retention and protection of the entire spectrum of the behavioral health workforce, including through registered apprenticeships, educational assistance, loan repayment programs, health and safety advocacy and other strategies; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: 

AFSCME supports policies and programs to establish and develop career ladders for behavioral health professionals seeking to grow in their field; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: 

AFSCME supports policies at the state and local level to ensure uninterrupted delivery of behavioral health services, including requirements that a public contractor enter into an agreement governing the organizing and union recognition process upon request of a union. 

SUBMITTED BY:
Frederick Yungbluth, Jr., President 
Meredith Hickman, Secretary 
AFSCME Council 75 
Oregon