The landmark survey of the Mental Health of Nurses and Doctors – or MeND for short – was conducted by WHO/Europe with support from the European Commission.

The survey, which analysed more than 90,000 responses from 29 countries, reveals that one in three doctors and one in four nurses are grappling with symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Doctors and nurses are five times as likely as the general population to experience symptoms of depression (32% versus 6%).

In addition, the survey reveals that 1 in 10 doctors and nurses report thoughts of being better off dead or harming themselves.

In the past year, 10% reported exposure to physical violence and sexual harassment, while one in three doctors and nurses were exposed to bullying or violent threats at work.

Meanwhile, 32% of doctors and 25% of nurses are on temporary employment contracts, a factor strongly linked to increased anxiety about job security.

The survey also reveals that one in four doctors works more than 50 hours per week.

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said: ‘We simply cannot afford to lose them to burnout, despair or violence. The consequences of this crisis extend far beyond the individual. This is a health security crisis jeopardizing the functioning of our health systems.

‘Supporting the mental health of our health workers is not just the right thing to do; it is essential for the future of healthcare in Europe.'

WHO/Europe outlined urgent policy actions that can be implemented to change organisational cultures and improve working conditions, even without additional resources.

These actions include:

• Enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to violence of any kind, including bullying and harassment, in health-care workplaces
• Making sure shifts are flexible and predictable, so that doctors and nurses can have a healthy work–life balance
• Ending the culture of "work till exhaustion"
• Managing heavy workloads with smart recruitments, long-term workforce planning, and better use of digital tools and AI
• Training and holding health leaders accountable for their workplace culture and employee well-being
• Expanding access to confidential, stigma-free mental health support available and accessible to all workers
• Conducting regular monitoring and reporting of health worker well-being, just like we already do for hospital capacity or surgical outcomes.

Dr Kluge added: ‘Our survey also showed that despite the many difficulties they face, our health workers are driven by a profound sense of duty, showing up for their patients every single day.

‘Three out of four doctors and two out of three nurses expressed a strong sense of purpose in their work. They are passionate and motivated, but they need tailored support to do their jobs effectively and with compassion.

‘The resilience of our health systems is only as good as the resilience of the women and men who dedicate their lives to caring for all of us.'