Peace@Workplace Statement of Need
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Introduction
Introduction
Peace@Workplace is committed to advancing mental wellness and workplace peacebuilding for underserved groups, including nonprofits, small businesses, and frontline workers.
frontline workers
nonprofits
small businesses
In recent years, the convergence of social, economic, and public health crises has sharply increased the need for accessible, trauma-informed conflict resolution and wellness resources. This Statement of Need presents recent, authoritative data to demonstrate the acute and growing necessity for such support in Orange County, California, the broader state, and the United States.
The Escalating Crisis of Workplace Stress and Burnout
Workplace stress and burnout have reached unprecedented levels across the United States, with healthcare and frontline workers experiencing the most severe impacts. In 2022, 39.8% of U.S. healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout, a significant increase from 31.3% in 2019. Among nurses, 62% reported increased workloads during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 50.8% feeling emotionally drained, 56.4% feeling used up,& 49.7% reporting fatigue, and 45.1% experiencing burnout a few times a week or daily. Burnout among primary care physicians reached 57.6% in 2022, the highest among healthcare sectors.
Stress and burnout led to a 3.3% net decline in the U.S. nursing workforce over two years, with younger nurses (mean age 36) leaving at a rate of 3%, accounting for nearly 41% of the total drop-off in practicing registered nurses. In California, the annual cost to employers from lost productivity due to caregiving employees is estimated at $48.3 billion, with $5.3 billion attributable to the costs of replacing caregivers who leave the workforce.
The California Department of Public Health reports that Orange County saw a 29% increase in residents aged 55 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease from 2019 to 2025, further intensifying the need for workplace support among caregivers and frontline staff.¹²⁴⁶
Impact on Frontline and Underserved Workers
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified mental health and substance use challenges among frontline workers. In 2020, 13% of Americans reported new or increased substance use to cope with stress. Drug overdoses rose by 18% in the early months of the pandemic compared to 2019, highlighting the intersection of workplace stress and broader health crises. In Orange County, 59,339 residents aged 55 and older were living with Alzheimer’s in 2019, projected to reach 76,730 by 2025—an increase of 29%—placing additional strain on healthcare and social service workers. California’s population of older adults living alone, particularly women aged 65 and older, is expected to more than double by 2040, increasing the burden on nonprofit and community-based organizations.⁵⁶
The California Department of Public Health reports that Orange County saw a 29% increase in residents aged 55 and older living with Alzheimer’s disease from 2019 to 2025, further intensifying the need for workplace support among caregivers and frontline staff.¹²⁴⁶
The Prevalence and Cost of Workplace Conflict
The Prevalence and Cost of Workplace Conflict
The Federal Bureau of Investigation began collecting national use-of-force data in 2019, reflecting a growing recognition of the need for conflict de-escalation and trauma-informed practices in law enforcement and related fields.
Workplace violence and conflict contribute significantly to employee turnover, absenteeism, and mental health challenges, with ripple effects for families and communities. California businesses face escalating costs due to workplace stress and conflict, with lost productivity, absenteeism, and turnover impacting economic stability.
Disproportionate Impact on Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Disproportionate Impact on Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Nonprofits and small businesses often lack the financial capacity for structured wellness and conflict resolution programs, leaving employees vulnerable to stress, burnout, and workplace violence. Frontline workers in these sectors are more likely to experience high workloads, emotional exhaustion, and limited access to mental health resources.
The rapid growth in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and related dementias in Orange County and California increases the demand for caregiving and support services, further straining nonprofit and small business staff.¹²⁴⁶
Mental Health and Substance Use: A Growing Concern
Mental Health and Substance Use: A Growing Concern
Societal and economic upheavals during the pandemic escalated anxiety and stress levels, with 13% of Americans initiating or intensifying substance use to cope with COVID-19-related stress. Changes in drug availability contributed to a rise in deaths related to illicit opioid use, with individuals resorting to more potent substances such as fentanyl when heroin became less accessible.
Californians aged 50 and older experiencing homelessness have higher rates of depression, cognitive impairment, and frailty, underscoring the need for trauma-informed workplace support in organizations serving these populations.⁵⁶
Demographic and Regional Trends: Orange County and California
Orange County’s population of residents aged 55 and older with Alzheimer’s is projected to increase by 122% between 2019 and 2040, from 59,339 to 131,906. The number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s in Orange County was 1,432 in 2017, the highest in the state after Los Angeles. The number of Californians living with Alzheimer’s in community settings will more than double by 2040, with 908,730 living with others and 382,623 living alone.
California anticipates a significant increase in older women living alone, reflecting national trends and increasing the need for supportive workplace environments in caregiving and social services.⁶
The Ripple Effect: Families, Neighborhoods, and Local Economies
The burden of caregiving and workplace conflict extends beyond the office, impacting families, neighborhoods, and local economies. The annual cost of long-term care in California is projected to rise significantly, with implications for employers, employees, and the broader community.
The number of geriatricians needed to care for Californians aged 55 and older with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase dramatically, further straining the healthcare workforce.¹⁶
The Urgency for Trauma-Informed, Inclusive Conflict Resolution
Burnout rates among healthcare workers remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, with mental health, dental, and rehabilitation service employees reporting the highest increases in burnout rates between 2018 and 2023. High professional stress rates peaked at 32% in 2020 and remain above 20% as of 2023, indicating a sustained need for workplace wellness interventions.
The impact of burnout and workplace conflict is particularly acute among less experienced workers, who are more likely to report increased workloads and emotional exhaustion. The need for trauma-informed, inclusive leadership and conflict resolution training is critical to reducing stress, burnout, and workplace violence, especially among underserved groups.²⁴⁶
Conclusion
The data presented clearly demonstrate a mounting crisis of stress, burnout, and workplace conflict among employees, frontline workers, and nonprofit staff in Orange County, California, and across the United States. The intersection of rising caregiving demands, mental health challenges, and insufficient workplace support has created urgent and growing needs—particularly among underserved populations. Without targeted, trauma-informed conflict resolution training and support, these trends threaten not only individual well-being but also organizational resilience and community health. The mission of Peace@Workplace, to make mental wellness and peacebuilding accessible to those most in need, is more critical now than ever.
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