Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic presented one of the most challenging times for health professionals across the globe. Health professionals are under pressure, working long shifts without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), worried about spreading the sickness to their families, and in danger of infection from self-exposure. Additionally, isolation from the community and a lack of coping mechanisms severely impact their mental well-being (Qasem Surrati et al. 537). As the pandemic led to increased infection, health professionals endured worry, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and a lack of social and emotional support that significantly affected their mental health.
Mental Health: Anxiety, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts
Mental health is critical in healthcare as it influences patient safety and health professionals’ performance. Suicide is among the most prevalent outcomes of poor mental health. According to Olaya et al., there was a surge in the number of nurses who experienced suicidal thoughts since the onset of the pandemic, where 1 in 10 healthcare professionals reported having such thoughts (3406). Further, research shows that this rate increased by more than half compared to the statistics before the pandemic in relation to mental health and suicide (Olaya et al. 3406). Although healthcare workers were expected to offer the first line of care for COVID-19 patients, the well-being of caregivers was often ignored, leading to worse outcomes.
The pandemic led to a resource strain, resulting in inadequate PPEs for nurses. Consequently, healthcare givers lived in fear of infection. After shifts, practitioners feared carrying the virus and transmitting it to their loved ones, leading to increased anxiety. Nurses pleaded with the Senate to approve the HEROES Act for a massive $3 trillion Democratic package that would accelerate the manufacture of the personal protective equipment hospitals use to treat patients with coronavirus (Olaya et al. 3406). This call for health workers’ safety was founded on the need to facilitate personal security and improved performance during the pandemic.
In addition to anxiety, depression and insomnia are critical indicators of mental health challenges. In a cross-sectional survey of 1,257 healthcare professionals looking after patients with COVID-19, psychological health issues were quite common. Healthcare professionals reported showing signs of psychological discomfort (72%), anxiety (45%), insomnia (34%), and depression (50% (Qasem Surrati et al. 538).
In addition, the government established mandates that called for nurses to leave their shoes at the entrance and for vaccination to prevent the spread of infections, a matter that increased nurses’ anxiety over their safety and well-being (Olaya et al. 3407). With a high patient-nurse ratio, the chances of infection and fatigue increased, affecting nurses’ psychological well-being. Healthcare workers felt pressured and alienated from peers due to social distancing rules since they could not freely interact with coworkers or patient visitors, causing them to lack social support and experience mental health challenges. These outcomes necessitated the formulation of corrective measures to help nurses address the rising psychological needs.
Solutions
The effect of long shifts and boredom can be effectively solved through appropriate exercise routines. According to Olaya et al., most challenges arose from understaffing and resource strains, leaving workers extremely tired (3407). Therefore, caregivers could benefit from exercise programs to relieve the body from the pressure built up during strenuous and stressful workdays.
Hospitals could also address staffing issues by lowering the patient-nurse ratio and equipping nurses with crucial PPEs. In severe cases, therapeutic stress reducers could be issued to staff to help them as they follow other procedures. In addition, communication plays a crucial role in stress mitigation among healthcare givers. Management should encourage open discussions on prevalent challenges and encourage staff to accept situations outside their control as that would aid their psychological well-being.
Resources and Helplines
As medical professionals face deteriorating mental health conditions, it is crucial to have access to helplines for emergency responses. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is among the lines offering quick assistance to individuals suffering from depression and anxiety. Users can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 and 988 to request immediate assistance.
In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides emergency response and quick help to persons suffering from psychological health conditions (Figg 253). Any nurse having suicidal thoughts can receive treatment and counseling from this organization, alleviating the prevailing emotional and mental burdens. If a person identifies as a healthcare worker going through depression and anxiety, one can call the disaster distress helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Essentially, helping medical professionals cope with the stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a collective responsibility. The availability of support from managers and non-governmental organizations is vital for improved outcomes among nurses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic led to strained working conditions in healthcare organizations, causing stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia among nurses. Due to resource strains, the lack of PPEs increased practitioners’ worries about getting infected and spreading the virus to their friends and families. The pandemic led to a double increase in the number of health workers experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Hospitals and other health organizations can help nurses deal with the rising pressures by lowering the patient-nurse ratio and providing opportunities for recreation and open communication. SAMHSA, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and the distress helpline are among the resources that can help nurses and close friends access immediate help for healthcare givers. Improving mental health for nurses is a collective responsibility that requires the input of individual workers, hospital management, and the community.
Works Cited
Figg, Bethany. “Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.” Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, vol.22, no.3, 2018, pp. 253-262, Web.
Olaya, Beatriz, et al. “Prevalence of Depression among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, vol. 10, no. 15, 2021, pp. 3406-3607, Web.
Qasem Surrati, Amal M., et al. “Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care Workers.” Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, vol. 15, no. 6, 2020, pp. 536–543, Web.