Stress, Depression, Anxiety and Willingness to Seek Help of Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stress, Depression, Anxiety and Willingness to Seek Help of Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and objective: Although the serious stage of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, the consequences are notonly socio-economic but also affect the mental health of many people, in which healthcare workers tolerate the fiercestand longest-lasting consequences compared to other social groups in the community. This study aims to explore the statusof healthcare workers' mental health and evaluate their capacity to effectively manage mental health issues in the contextof the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, it explores the relationship between depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS) scaleand seeking help from healthcare workers. Methods: The study was conducted from April 2022 to August 2022, using an online survey of 638 healthcare workersworking at two frontline hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was undertaken at two hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City (i.e.,Cho Ray Hospital and the COVID-19 Resuscitation Hospital), facilitated through the social work departments of thesehospitals. Results: The result shows that the majority of medical staff faces various mental health problems from mild to severe, withdifferent degrees of severity, depending on the individual's psychological characteristics, gender, education level, and workposition. The study also revealed a correlation between help-seeking attitudes and symptoms of depression, anxiety, andstress. It shows that only a minority of healthcare workers have the attitude demonstrated a willingness to seek help andrequest assistance from psychologists when experiencing mental health issues. Conclusion: Policymakers should prioritize regular awareness campaigns during the initial phases of a pandemic to enhancemotivation, knowledge, and preventative measures among healthcare workers. This approach can help identify mentalhealth issues early and reduce the stigma of seeking support. Encouraging group psychotherapy and addressing culturalbarriers in the medical field can increase trust in therapists and psychiatrists, improving overall mental well-being.