One in 10 doctors and nurses in Europe report suicidal thoughts, according to a landmark WHO survey released on World Mental Health Day.
A sweeping new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission has revealed a deepening mental health crisis among Europe’s healthcare workers. Based on nearly 100,000 responses from 29 countries, the survey found that doctors and nurses are experiencing alarming levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, with serious implications for patient care and health system stability.
🔹 Key Findings:
- 1 in 10 health workers reported recent thoughts of self-harm or feeling “better off dead.”
- Doctors and nurses are twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to the general population.
- 25% of doctors work over 50 hours per week, and 33% are on temporary contracts, contributing to job insecurity and mental strain.
- 1 in 3 health workers face workplace violence, which is strongly linked to poor mental health outcomes.
Despite these challenges, 75% of doctors and 66% of nurses said they find deep meaning and purpose in their work. However, 11–34% are considering leaving the profession, raising concerns about staffing shortages and declining care quality.
WHO Europe Director Hans Henri P. Kluge warned that the crisis threatens the integrity of health systems, projecting a shortage of 940,000 health workers by 2030. He called for urgent reforms, including:
- Zero-tolerance policies for workplace violence
- Revised shift patterns
- Access to high-quality mental health support
As radiology resident Mélanie Debarreix from France put it: “We chose a path of humanity, but that does not mean we stop being human ourselves.”