The Covid-19 crisis, mental health of healthcare workers and trade union actions Survey results

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs), putting further strain on an already stressed workforce. The relatively high mental health risk of healthcare workers is influenced by occupation-specific factors such as high workloads, substantial individual responsibilities, dealing with the suffering of patients and their relatives, and the threat of physical violence. The Covid-19 crisis only intensified these mental health risks, including stress, emotional fatigue, anxiety, depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The findings from the survey conducted among the health sector affiliates of the European Public Service Union (EPSU) have shed light on the various measures and initiatives adopted by hospitals, trade unions and collective bargaining or social dialogue to address mental health issues during and after the pandemic. The survey addressed initiatives in the area of the identifying and monitoring of mental health, as well as measures for prevention, protection, and care for healthcare workers and their families. It also explored professional and organisational challenges and the provision of personal support at work. Additionally, the survey explored the voice of healthcare workers and the role of trade unions in addressing mental health issues.
The survey results indicate that there was limited attention to mental health risks within hospitals before the Covid-19 crisis. However, during the crisis, there was a noticeable increase in attention and efforts made by hospitals to address mental health risks. Although attention surged during the crisis, there is now a challenge in sustaining this awareness and maintaining efforts to address mental health risks within the sector. Trade unions, on the other hand, seem to have been more proactive in addressing mental health risks even before the pandemic, with a greater focus on healthcare workers' well-being.
Identifying and monitoring mental health issues were found to be challenging during the pandemic, with limited knowledge about whether individual workers with mental health problems were being adequately identified and monitored. However, some hospitals and unions implemented good practices in this area, such as regular employee surveys and psychosocial services, aimed at early detection and prevention of mental health issues.
When it comes to prevention, protection and care for healthcare workers and their families, hospitals made efforts to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing facilities. The availability and quality of personal protective equipment and testing facilities varied among hospitals, with some reporting insufficient quantity, whilst quality was generally assessed as better. Moreover, various countries implemented initiatives such as information sessions on risks and preventive measures, training and providing support for personal and family needs (such as access to healthy meals and lodging for healthcare workers). However, there is potential for more consistent and broader adoption of these practices in the event of a new health crisis.
Professional and organisational challenges were addressed through measures such as information and communication meetings, regular meetings on crisis-related organisational challenges and organisational adaptations. Trade unions were involved in initiatives to change the organisation of work and provide support during the pandemic. However, there is still a need to address issues related to workload, understaffing and underpayment. These challenges predated the Covid-19 pandemic, were aggravated by it, and have persisted beyond its duration.