More than 30% of doctors and nurses in Europe suffer from depression, and one in ten has suicidal thoughts. A new report from the World Health Organization shows that burnout, violence, and unstable working conditions are becoming a threat to healthcare systems.
More than 30% of doctors and nurses in Europe suffer from depression, and one in ten reported having suicidal thoughts. These alarming figures are presented in a new World Health Organization (WHO) report published in October.
The study indicates that one in three healthcare workers has faced bullying or threats of violence in the workplace, and 10% have experienced physical violence or sexual harassment. Furthermore, a quarter of doctors work more than 50 hours a week, and many are on temporary contracts, which increases anxiety and feelings of instability.
“This is an unacceptable burden on those who care for our health. It should not be this way,” emphasized Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
Experts note that constant pressure, overwork, and a lack of workplace safety lead to emotional exhaustion, depression, and professional burnout. Such conditions not only endanger the health of the medical professionals themselves but also increase the risk of work errors and reduce the quality of medical care.
“We are physically and mentally exhausted, and this, unfortunately, sometimes leads to medical errors,” said Mélanie Débarre, a radiology resident from France.
The WHO report also showed that the situation among medical students is even more concerning: 66% of them have experienced a depressive episode in the past year, and 21% have had suicidal thoughts.
Hans Kluge urged governments and healthcare institutions to introduce a “zero-tolerance” policy for violence, reduce overtime hours, and ensure medical staff have access to psychological support.
“The mental health crisis among healthcare workers is a crisis for health security overall. We cannot afford to lose those who save lives due to burnout, despair, or violence,” Kluge stated.
The report is based on responses from over 90,000 doctors and nurses from European Union countries, Iceland, and Norway. Experts estimate that if current trends continue, the shortage of healthcare workers in Europe could reach nearly one million specialists by 2030.
