Mental Health

“A state of well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life,

realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”

Mental health definition: World Health Organisation

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world, with all areas of people’s professional and personal lives affected. The extent of this experience is emerging more evidently post-pandemic, and governments worldwide are being challenged to respond to the needs within their countries. According to a scientific brief from WHO in 2022, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term impacts of the pandemic and the ongoing mental health fallout yet to be determined. 

Within health systems, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented on such a scale, and most notably on the mental health and wellbeing of the healthcare workforce and other frontline workers, many of whom left the profession, or have continued to work through such impacts on their work experiences.  In exploring the impacts of the COVID-19 experience on the healthcare sector, Sovold et al (2021) write that the stressors, burdens, and psychological needs of the healthcare workforce across health systems and disciplines are important to acknowledge, and systems need to respond to and mitigate the challenges for those working on the frontlines during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.  

When working in a health facility or community health setting and engaged with research, expectations from community can also add to already impacted experiences of health crises together with professional expectations, obligations and necessities. Having insight into one’s own emotional and psychological responses to these situations and ensuring avenues for self-care, and acknowledgment within systems to protect and support the mental health and well-being of the healthcare workforce is extremely important. 

In this section we focus on issues related to mental health and wellbeing for health-based professionals (both field worker, health care worker or community worker).  Articles, Webinars, conferences, tools, and other resources are highlighted to explore and share the important conversations related to mental health and wellbeing.