Setting effective boundaries by avoiding selected topics and taking occasional breaks helps ensure emotional safety during the holidays, says licensed clinical social worker Cassidy DuHadway. Preparing for potential triggers and having support systems in place is also important, DuHadway says.

NYC Health + Hospitals created the "Social Workers Needed Here" campaign to quickly hire social workers and expand mental health services. This initiative sought to address a pressing need for mental health care professionals at the largest public health system in the US, with 11 hospitals and 43,000 employees. The campaign appears to have attracted more than 100 new social workers.

First responders in Pittsburgh face multiple mental health challenges, including PTSD and anxiety. Retired police officer Mark Kneebone shares his experience with depression and a suicide attempt, illustrating the severe impact of occupational stress. The CDC notes that first responders have higher suicide rates than the general population, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health support.

A newly launched national crisis intervention team, comprised of teachers who have survived school shootings, is now available to assist educators affected by gun violence. The team provides on-site campus visits and one-on-one support through phone and email, connecting teachers with trained peers and mental health professionals.

The North Carolina House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety is seeking to improve the state's mental health system following the passage of Iryna's Law, which is expected to increase forced mental health treatments. Hospitals and former law enforcement have noted that the current system is overwhelmed, with patients often waiting in emergency departments for extended periods without treatment.

President Donald Trump has signed a funding bill to end a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in US history. The bill, which funds the government through January, was passed by the House in a 222-209 vote and by the Senate with support from seven Democrats and one independent. The bill includes provisions for a bipartisan budget process, funding for the SNAP program and ensures federal workers will be paid for the shutdown period.

Retention is becoming less of a leadership challenge as employees "job hug" amid economic uncertainty, but this presents an opportunity for leaders to focus on regeneration, writes leadership expert Julie Winkle Giulioni. This includes engaging in development conversations and encouraging safe experiments to keep employees engaged and thriving. "Investing in their growth sends a powerful signal of support while also allowing employees to take constructive action to prepare for an uncertain future," Winkle Giulioni writes.