Healthcare personnel struggling with mental health during COVID-19: Research

*A study suggests that mental health disorders are on the rise among healthcare professionals worldwide

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected consumers both physically and mentally, and several recent studies have focused on the mental health concerns that have emerged or worsened over the last year.

Currently, a new study has discovered that healthcare workers worldwide have been struggling with their mental health since outbreak of the damaging pandemic, agency report said.

The report indicated that anxiety, depression, and PTSD have all steadily increased among those in the medical field.

An exhausted or depressed healthcare worker   Photo: Getty Images

In regard to the increasing mental health concerns, the researchers analysed 65 global studies on healthcare workers’ mental health. Their work included data starting from December 2019 and running through August 2020.

It also comprised of information on more than 97,000 healthcare personnel in nearly 24 countries of the world.

The study findings showed that healthcare workers’ mental health has taken a hit since the start of the pandemic.

Anxiety was the most prevalent concern among the participants, as more than 22 percent of healthcare staff experienced a spike in anxiety as the pandemic progressed. Similarly, both PTSD and depression were identified in more than 21 percent of the health care workers involved in the study.

The researchers further explained that on a global scale, less than five percent of people struggle with depression and generalised anxiety disorders.

These findings highlight just how much of a toll the pandemic has taken on those who have been working on the frontlines to contain the spread of the virus.

The researchers hope that these findings spark changes in the healthcare field so that mental health services are made more widely available to those who need them.

With stress levels higher than ever in recent times, several recent studies have examined ways that consumers can learn to manage their mental health concerns.

Having pets and spending time outdoors have both been found to be effective ways of dealing with depression and anxiety during the pandemic.

Other studies also have found that establishing healthy coping skills, or adopting breathing techniques can also be beneficial for mental health of consumers.

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