Pandemic strikes at health workers’ mental well-being

Health workers are suffering severe mental health problems as a result of the pandemic, according to a new survey by the UNISON health union.

Its findings, set out in its report, Worry in mind, and based on responses from more than 14,000 health workers, “raise serious concerns that health service employees are being pushed to the brink”.

It found that almost half (48%) of health staff, including nurses, porters, paramedics, healthcare assistants and A&E staff across the UK have struggled to cope, and half (51%) have sought mental health support.

Fear of getting sick with COVID (60%) was the top reason they gave for a deterioration in their state of mind, followed by being unable to see friends and family (55%) and increased workload (49%). They also highlighted the physical strain of wearing protective safety kit constantly, the burden of coping with the deaths of patients, sleepless nights and fears over infecting loved ones.

More than a quarter (26%) also said the pandemic has placed them or their family in financial difficulties, affecting the mental health of 81% who responded to the question.

UNISON called on the government to expand the package of mental health support available for staff and to guarantee a decent NHS pay increase.

https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2021/01/Mental-health-survey-report.pdf