On May 16, 2026, the ShiftKey team gathered at Grandscape for NAMIWalks North Texas, to spread the message that healthcare professional burnout is a mental health issue and support our greater Dallas community.
Our team arrived at 7 a.m., under a wild, windy Dallas sky. It was a mild morning, and as we set up, we noticed the vibe was just…good. Other sponsors were friendly and helpful. The NAMI team was there to assist with whatever we needed. As we approached registration time, the participants of all ages started to fill up the Grandscape lawn, complete with dogs and babies in strollers.
That’s when we started to hear the stories.
An entrepreneur shared that she destigmatizes mental health issues by wearing the pithy t-shirts she creates and talking about her depression whenever she gets the chance.
Nurse after nurse shared that they could use more flexibility, and expressed how familiar they were with burnout.
We also met teachers and faith leaders, mental health professionals and moms, political activists with policy goals, and plenty of kids who were just there for our stickers and cookies.
About NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness
We sponsored the NAMIWalks North Texas in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month. From the moment we began the partnership, we understood the stakes. In our industry alone, burnout affects the majority of workers.
According to NAMI, one in five people have a mental health condition and one in 20 have a serious mental health condition. Among young people ages six to 17, that number is one in seven.
NAMI provides free services nationwide. With almost a quarter of the population (20%) experiencing mental health issues, the need for the organization’s work is clear.
Here are some of their offerings:
NAMI HelpLine: The NAMI HelpLine is available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. It can be reached by calling 800-950-6264, texting "NAMI" to 62640, or emailing helpline@nami.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available by phone or text 24/7. In 2025, 93,000+ people were served by the HelpLine. Please note that this is a resource and referral line, not therapy. HelpLine volunteers are trained peers, not licensed clinicians.
NAMI Connection: NAMI Connection is a free, peer led support group designed for adults who have symptoms of a mental health condition, led by trained leaders who've been there. Groups are structured to ensure participants have an opportunity to be heard, and meetings are held in safe, confidential settings.
NAMI Family Support Group: NAMI Family Support Group offers free, peer led family support groups, structured similarly to the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups. Designed for family members of those with mental health conditions, NAMI’s family support groups aim to create community and safe spaces for families to share their experiences.
Services for healthcare professionals: NAMI offers a variety of services tailored to healthcare professionals. From offering educational options, like their resource guides, to connecting healthcare professionals to clinical support networks, NAMI has many resources available. Start here.
Educational programs: NAMI’s educational opportunities range from the basics of mental health to targeted programs that serve particular populations, like military families and mental health providers.
Burnout is real. Let’s move beyond it.
We believe burnout is a mental health issue. That’s why we continue to research healthcare professional burnout and are committed to leading the discussion in our industry. If you’re a healthcare professional in crisis, dial 988 now. If you want to learn more about burnout and find resources that can help you navigate it (including a burnout quiz!), visit our “Burnout Resources Hub for Professionals” or our “Burnout Resources Hub for Facilities.” None of us can move beyond burnout alone, but together, we can start walking in the right direction.
