The mental health of health and aged care workers in Australia

As more concerning data are published, is it time to hit the panic button?

There was concern about the mental health and wellbeing of Australia's health and aged care workers well before COVID‐19, with good reason. We have known for many years that large numbers develop symptoms of depression or anxiety, but many find the barriers to seeking help too great to overcome.1 This burden of untreated symptoms, combined with factors such as knowledge of and access to means, has led to health professionals (including nurses) having a 30% higher risk of suicide than people in other occupations.2 But concern about the mental health of our health care workers has surged since COVID‐19, with many reporting feeling traumatised and exhausted.