Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as they worked tirelessly to slow the spread of disease and protect communities. Those on the frontline were confronted with a high risk for infection, lack of appropriate protective equipment and medical supplies, unprecedented exposure to death, inadequate emotional support, isolation from their families because of fear of viral transmission, and an unrelenting workload. Thus, it is unsurprising that COVID-19 jeopardized the mental health of HCWs beyond that of the general public across the globe. A plethora of data showed that more than one in five HCWs reported high levels of depression, anxiety, or traumatic stress/posttraumatic stress disorder, while at least two in five experienced significant sleep disturbances. Of particular concern, burnout levels, substance misuse, and suicidal behavior also increased among the workforce compared with prepandemic levels. In addition, a variety of sociodemographic, occupational, and circumstantial risk factors, such as younger age, female sex, risk for infection, mental health history, and low social support intensified these adverse psychological outcomes. By identifying trends and variables that exacerbated the impact on the mental health of HCWs, interventions and strategies can be developed at the local, regional, national, and international level.
