Story perspectives

WHO Warns: Mental Health Crisis Among European Healthcare Workers

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) surveyed nearly 100,000 health workers across 29 European countries, revealing a mental health crisis among doctors and nurses.
One in four health professionals works over 50 hours weekly, and a third are on temporary contracts, leading to suicidal thoughts that are double that of the general population.
Latvia and Poland reported the highest levels of depression, while Denmark and Iceland reported the lowest.
WHO calls for reforms, including zero tolerance for workplace violence and enhanced mental health support.

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Story summary

The World Health Organization (WHO) surveyed nearly 100,000 health workers across 29 European countries, revealing a mental health crisis among doctors and nurses.
One in four health professionals works over 50 hours weekly, and a third are on temporary contracts, leading to suicidal thoughts that are double that of the general population.
Latvia and Poland reported the highest levels of depression, while Denmark and Iceland reported the lowest.
WHO calls for reforms, including zero tolerance for workplace violence and enhanced mental health support.