Why the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers Should Not Be Ignored in Crises
Why the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers Should Not Be Ignored in Crises
The Head of the Psychiatry Department at the university, emphasizing that the mental health of healthcare staff is an institutional necessity, stated: Ignoring the mental health of service providers in crises is a threat to the continuity and quality of patient care.
According to the university's web correspondent, Dr. Ali Nazeri, Head of the Psychiatry Department at the university, explaining the difficult conditions of healthcare workers during events such as war and crisis, said: Healthcare staff, in addition to daily exposure to illness and pain, are exposed to significant psychological pressures in crises.
He described the experience of the psychiatric staff at Razi Psychiatric Hospital during recent attacks as a tangible example of this situation and added: When healthcare personnel, while worrying about the security and health of themselves and their families, also carried the responsibility of caring for psychiatric patients, a difficult situation unfolded. In such a position, the caregiver cannot merely fulfill their professional role because they themselves are also exposed to fear, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, and feelings of insecurity, while patients still require their presence, calm, and support.
Dr. Nazeri stated: This experience shows that the mental health of healthcare staff, especially in crisis conditions, is an essential part of the health system's preparedness and resilience. However, professional medical culture sometimes expects staff to ignore their psychological pressures and continue their duties without interruption; an approach that requires serious revision.
The Head of the Psychiatry Department at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences emphasized: Psychological support for staff, creating opportunities for safe and confidential dialogue, access to specialized mental health services, and attention to their individual needs must be an inseparable part of hospital crisis management.
He concluded by noting: The recent experience of Razi Psychiatric Hospital during war reminds us that in times of crisis, it is not only patients who need care; caregivers also need care. Ultimately, paying attention to the mental health of healthcare workers means preserving the quality of patient care, continuity of services, and strengthening the overall resilience of the health system.
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