HON Code certifications and YMYL websites

Hi, we run a YMYL website in the mental health field which was hit very hard in the EAT update a few years ago. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to recover. We've been looking into getting an HON Code certification in the hope that this might help with EAT, but the HON website has been saying for ages that they don't currently accept new applications. Does anyone know what the story is? Has HON closed down or is there a huge backlog due to the EAT update?

Also, does anyone know if an HON Code certification actually helps with ranking in Google?

Thanks!!