Comprehensive Review Of Health Workers’ Roles In Mental Health Management In Hospitals

Abstract

The psychological well-being crisis of HCWs has been a pressing problem in hospitals, driven by global health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic that had claimed over 2.85 million lives as of April 2021. The current review provides an extensive discussion on the various facets of HCWs' functions in the management of mental well-being through their contribution to direct patient care, personal self-care practices, and organizational roles in the elimination of psychological distress. It examines the profound impact of occupational stressors—i.e., workload overload, exposure to infectious disease, lack of resources, and societal demand—on HCWs' mental well-being. The review combines findings from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, cross-sectional research, and qualitative studies to highlight high prevalence rates of mental health disorders like burnout (experienced by as many as 45.8% of HCWs in some regions), anxiety (44.3%), depression (53.6%), insomnia (41.1%), and PTSD. It evaluates the effectiveness of interventions, from mindfulness-based stress reduction, peer support, reflective practice groups, resilience training, and co-production models that promote HCWs to collaborate together with patients. Particular emphasis is given to challenges in low-resource settings, e.g., Kenya, where only 34% of HCWs undergo formal mental health training after basic education. The review identifies major gaps in training, gaps in the distribution of resources, and gaps in systemic interventions and recommends viable solutions to policymakers, hospital administrators, and researchers. These are rigorous training programs, systematic organizational reform, and the development of psychosocial safety climates to reduce burnout and enhance resilience. By addressing these challenges, this article aims to highlight the central contribution of HCWs in mental health management and the urgency for prompt focus on their psychological well-being in order to sustain high-quality healthcare provision globally.