Mental Health Crisis and Harassment Plague Healthcare Workers

A new report from the CDC reveals that health care workers are experiencing a mental health crisis, with higher levels of harassment, burnout, and poor mental health compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of days health care workers reported poor mental health in the past 30 days increased significantly between 2018 and 2022. Burnout among health care workers was already at a crisis level before the pandemic, and the situation has worsened. Harassment at work also spiked during the pandemic. The report recommends employers take immediate preventive actions, such as allowing workers to participate in decision-making, building trust in management, and providing support and sufficient time to complete work. The CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has launched a campaign to raise awareness and provide resources for mental health care in the healthcare sector.