Why People Stay: Workforce Retention in Community Behavioral Health

Staff turnover has long been a problem in the mental health field and can be costly for organizations, mental health workers, and the clients they serve. While we know a great deal about why people leave, less is known about why mental health workers stay. Our presenter shares current research based on interviewing people who have remained in their jobs for at least 14 years to understand why they stayed, even during trying times. She discusses how turnover and retention may have different predictors and identifies factors that support long term retention.