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A third of doctors and nurses across Europe are struggling with depression or anxiety, according to a new report released on Friday by the European branch of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The study found that mental health issues among healthcare workers are occurring at rates five times higher than those seen in the general European population.
“The mental health crisis among our health workers is a health security crisis, threatening the integrity of our health systems,” said Hans Kluge, WHO Europe’s regional director.
“More than one in 10 have thought about ending their lives or hurting themselves. This is an unacceptable burden on those who care for us.”
The report revealed that healthcare workers exposed to violence, long working hours, and shift work—particularly night shifts—were far more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
The prevalence of suicidal thoughts among medical staff was found to be double that of the general population.
Women and nurses were identified as being at higher risk of depression and anxiety, while male doctors were more prone to alcohol dependency.
The study also found significant regional differences, with healthcare workers in Latvia and Poland reporting the highest rates of depression—nearly half of respondents—while Denmark and Iceland reported the lowest levels at around 15 per cent.
Drawing on responses from 90,000 healthcare professionals across the 27 European Union member states, as well as Iceland and Norway, the study painted a troubling picture of workplace conditions.
Around a third of respondents said they had been subjected to bullying or violent threats at work in the past year, while 10 per cent reported experiencing physical violence or sexual harassment.
The report also noted that one in four doctors worked more than 50 hours a week, and that over 30 per cent of doctors and a quarter of nurses were employed on temporary contracts—an arrangement strongly linked to job insecurity and anxiety.
The WHO called for immediate reforms, including a zero-tolerance policy on violence and harassment in healthcare settings, measures to curb excessive working hours, and guaranteed access to mental health support for healthcare workers.
Kluge warned that the findings come at a time when Europe faces a severe shortage of healthcare staff.
“With Europe facing a shortage of nearly one million health workers by 2030, we cannot afford to lose them to burnout, despair, or violence,” he said.
