The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of mental well-being in which people cope well with the many stresses of life, can realize their own potential, function productively and fruitfully, and contribute to their communities. By that standard, health care workers are in deep trouble.
While no group of people or profession is immune to mental health challenges, health care workers face disproportionate stress and burnout, putting them at greater risk of anxiety, depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or suicide. These stressors and risks intensify during public health emergencies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the ratio between health care workers and the overall population can be tiny.