May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and in honor of this observance, it’s important to recognize the travel nurses, full-time nurses, and all allied health professionals who compassionately care for their patients, at times putting their own mental health and wellness on hold to deliver timely and effective patient care.

The stressors inherent in jobs in the medical field are constant. Patients and families rely heavily on nurses and allied health professionals in hospitals and all manner of clinical settings to provide medication delivery, all-encompassing physical care, case status, and at times, urgent, life-saving aid.

To all of these medical professionals, it’s important to seek treatment immediately if you begin to experience mental health issues. There are many resources you can turn to for help. Mental Health America, for example, provides information and tools to live a mentally healthy life, access to a screening tool to check for depression and anxiety symptoms, and avenues for seeking professional help if needed.

In line with generating awareness and new resources for nurses in need, a nurse peer support project called “Don’t Clock Out” is in development in honor of traveling nurse Michael Odell, who died by suicide at the age of 27 in January 2022. The project goal is to build a digital platform to offer evidence-based peer support to nurses experiencing mental health crises. Learn about Michael’s story and this special group of nurses who are working to honor him and save lives.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, go to the nearest emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255. You can also text the word “home” to 741741.