The last two years have been difficult for mental health. From the threat of infections to social isolation and economic uncertainty, many people who previously thought themselves unaffected by mental health issues have discovered that they were vulnerable. Those with pre-existing mental health conditions have often found their difficulties increased.
These COVID-19 stressors are impacting negatively on the mental health of most of the Filipinos, but in this health crisis, the impact on the mental health of health care workers, particularly nurses, is even more prominent.
Health care workers are impacted in various ways including experiencing anxiety and depression which are considered as the most prevalent mental health difficulties in our communities, thus causing immense suffering and costing the national economy in lost productivity. Apart from the health care employees, those working in construction and ICT have an elevated risk of mental health difficulties. Interestingly, most mental health interventions for the workplace have been targeted at larger companies while small- and medium-sized enterprises are often overlooked.
While the introduction of the Mental Wellness Leave Act is a good development in recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace, this measure has overlooked tremendous resources — thousand of school nurses and occupational (company) nurses as mental health professionals. School and company nurses, because of their regular access to students/workers and their experience with care coordination, are uniquely equipped to assist school/companies in providing services, including prevention, assessment, early identification/intervention, and treatment of mental health.
The overarching consequences of COVID-19 have shown that we need comprehensive investment in nursing and nurses through informed action that fully leverages the Filipino health care workforce.
JEROME BABATE
Beta Nu Delta Nursing Society