Mental Health and COVID-19: The Psychological Implications of a Pandemic for Nurses

Nurses Navigating Mental Health During Uncharted Times: Self, Others, Systems (S.O.S)!

STUDY BACKGROUND

The nursing profession is facing a multiplicity of stressors that have both predated and been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The emotional and physical demands entailed in nursing predispose nurses to suboptimal mental health and burnout.

PURPOSE

This paper draws upon the narrative interviews of 53 Canadian nurses as part of a larger pan-Canadian, cross disciplinary study that examined the gendered experiences of mental health, leaves of absence, and return to work of 7 professions.

METHODS

Thorne's interpretive descriptive guided Iterative and thematic analysis which identified three predominant themes within the nursing dataset, this paper focuses on the substantive theme of 'Navigating it Alone,'.

RESULTS

Nurses expressed a profound sense of isolation at 3 particular levels: at home, at work, and in systems - while simultaneously balancing uniquely gendered familial responsibilities and workplace demands.

CONCLUSIONS

These results illuminate instrumental pathways for stakeholders to attenuate the personal and professional pressures that continue to be disproportionately carried by nurses as they navigate these particularly challenging times.

The impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on risk factors for suicide in healthcare workers: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, over 700,000 people die by suicide each year. Healthcare workers are more vulnerable to suicide risk factors than the general population. The global COVID-19 pandemic presents additional workplace and health concerns that relate to suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. It is important to recognise suicide risk factors in healthcare workers and to implement strategies to reduce these risk factors.

OBJECTIVES

This study describes the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on risk factors for suicide in healthcare workers and identifies evidence-based strategies and resources to reduce suicide risk factors in healthcare workers.

DESIGN

The authors conducted a thematic analysis and narrative review of the literature.

METHODS

Using health science databases, the authors searched the literature, selected and analyzed studies, identified themes, synthesised findings and created a narrative review. The STROBE checklist was used in this study.

RESULTS

Two themes were identified (1) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related suicide risk factors in healthcare workers; (2) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health-related suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. The pandemic has affected suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. Many studies discussed evidence-based strategies and resources that can be used to reduce suicide risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The global COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted suicide risk factors in healthcare workers. It is time for individuals and healthcare delivery systems to implement suicide risk prevention strategies to protect healthcare workers now and in the future.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This review increases awareness of the pandemic's impact on healthcare workers' risk factors for suicide and identifies evidence-based suicide risk prevention strategies and resources for healthcare workers.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Library services supported this research by generating search strategies and providing resources and tools.

CE: Suicide Prevention: Protecting the Future of Nurses

ABSTRACT

Nurse suicide is an alarming issue that remains largely underexplored and underaddressed. Moreover, rates of suicide among nurses, which are higher than those in the general population, may increase due to additional stressors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a decided lack of data regarding nurse suicide or the efficacy of evidence-based prevention programs. This article examines the state of nurse suicide and explores the latest statistics on nurse suicide rates; contributing factors to nurse suicide; and current suicide prevention programs, such as the Critical Incident Stress Management and Healer Education Assessment and Referral programs.

Hidden and Understaffed: Exploring Canadian Medical Laboratory Technologists' Pandemic Stressors and Lessons Learned

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role of medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) in the healthcare system. Little is known about the challenges MLTs faced in keeping up with the unprecedented demands posed by the pandemic, which contributed to the notable staff shortage in the profession. This study aims to identify and understand the stressors of MLTs in Canada and the lessons learned through their lived experiences during the pandemic. (2) Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, we conducted five semi-structured focus groups with MLTs working during the pandemic. The focus group sessions were audio-recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to inductively code data and identify themes. (3) Results: A total of 27 MLTs across Canada participated in the study. Findings highlighted four key themes: (i) unexpected challenges navigating through the uncertainties of an ever-evolving pandemic; (ii) implications of staff shortage for the well-being of MLTs and quality of patient care; (iii) revealing the realities of the hidden, yet indispensable role of MLTs in predominantly non-patient-facing roles; and (iv) leveraging insights from the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance healthcare practices and preparedness. (4) Conclusion: The study provides in-depth insight into the experiences of MLTs across Canada during the pandemic. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations to enhance the sustainability of the laboratory workforce and ensure preparedness and resiliency among MLTs for future public health emergencies, as well as considerations as to combating the critical staff shortage.

"We try to save lives and our own lives": nursing work in the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To understand the implications of working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic for Nursing professionals.

METHOD

Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study conducted in four hospitals in southern Brazil. A total of 349 records made by nurses and nursing technicians/assistants through an electronic form were selected and submitted to content analysis. Ethical aspects were respected, and the participants consented to the Free and Informed Consent Form.

RESULTS

The increase in work demands and exhaustion were evidenced; the lack of hospital institutional support in assisting infected workers and in view of the need for further testing; and the impacts of the devaluation of Nursing, expressed by feelings of vulnerability and lack of recognition.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

The pandemic increased the wear and tear of Nursing with a projection of the lack of structure for crises situations. It is suggested to invest in the emotional and managerial resources of health care teams to better cope with similar health crises in the future.

Physical discomforts, feeling of the high work intensity and the related risk factors of the frontline medical staff during COVID-19 epidemic: an early-outbreak, national survey in China

Background

Facing the unknown virus, COVID-19 medical staff kept wearing thick personal protective equipment during their work in the early stage of the outbreak. The survey was designed to investigate the physical discomforts, the feeling of the work intensity and the related risk factors of the frontline medical staff during COVID-19 epidemic in the early outbreak.

Methods

An national survey was carried out in China from March 17th 2020 to March 20th 2020 by applying a standardized WeChat questionnaire survey. The doctors or nurses working in the wards for the confirmed COVID-19 patients on front-line were eligible to participate in the survey. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used.

Results

A total number of 515 COVID-19 medical staff, including 190 physicians and 325 nurses participated in this survey. 375 medical staff (72.8%) experienced physical discomforts at work, mostly consist of dyspnea (45.8%), pain (41.0%), chest distress (24.1%), dizziness (18.8%), and weakness (17.5%), while wearing thick isolation clothes at work. The mean onset time and peak time of these symptoms were 2.4 h and 3.5 h after working, respectively. 337 medical staff (65.4%) suffered from sleep disorders. 51 medical staff (10%) were highly worried about being infected by COVID-19 even during their work breaks. 246 medical staffs (47.8%) felt high work intensity and the independent influential factors were the effective daily sleep time and anxiety levels at break time (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The frontline medical staff during COVID-19 epidemic felt different physical discomforts when they wear thick isolation clothes at work in the early outbreak and they felt high work intensity. These precious data will help optimize the work management strategy to ensure the physical and mental health of medical staff in the face of similar outbreaks in future.

Prevalence, correlates, and network analysis of depression and its associated quality of life among ophthalmology nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Nurses in Ophthalmology Department (OD) had a high risk of infection during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined the prevalence, correlates, and network structure of depression, and explored its association with quality of life (QOL) in Chinese OD nurses.

Methods

Based on a cross-sectional survey, demographic and clinical data were collected. Depression was measured with the 9-item Self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Univariate analyses, multivariate logistic regression analyses, and network analyses were performed.

Results

Altogether, 2,155 OD nurses were included. The overall prevalence of depression among OD nurses was 32.71% (95%CI: 30.73-34.70%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having family or friends or colleagues who were infected (OR = 1.760, p = 0.003) was significantly associated with higher risk of depression. After controlling for covariates, nurses with depression reported lower QOL (F(1, 2,155) = 596.784, p < 0.001) than those without depression. Network analyses revealed that 'Sad Mood', 'Energy Loss' and 'Worthlessness' were the key central symptoms.

Conclusion

Depression was common among OD nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the negative impact of depression on QOL and daily life, regular screening for depression, timely counselling service, and psychiatric treatment should be provided for OD nurses, especially those who had infected family/friends or colleagues. Central symptoms identified in network analysis should be targeted in the treatment of depression.

Burnout among oncologists, nurses, and radiographers working in oncology patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Oncology care professionals are exposed to high levels of stress that can lead to burnout. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of burnout among nurses, oncologists and radiographers working in oncology patient care during the COVID -19 pandemic.

METHODS

Our electronic questionnaire was sent to e-mail contacts registered in the system of the Hungarian Society of Oncologists and to all oncology staff via an internal information system in each cancer center. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which measures depersonalization (DP), emotional exhaustion (EE), and personal accomplishment (PA). Demographic and work-related characteristics were collected in our self-designed questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, two-sample t-tests, analyzes of variance, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 205 oncology care workers' responses were analyzed. Oncologists (n = 75) were found to be significantly more committed to DP and EE (p = 0.001; p = 0.001). Working more than 50 h per week and being on-call had a negative effect on the EE dimension (p = 0.001; p = 0.003). Coming up with the idea of working abroad had a negative effect on all three dimensions of burnout (p ≤ 0.05). Respondents who did not leave their job due to their current life situation had significantly higher DE, EE, and lower PA (p ≤ 0.05). Intention to leave current profession was specific in (n = 24/78; 30.8%) of nurses (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that male gender, being an oncologist, working more than 50 h per week and taking on call duties have a negative impact on individual burnout. Future measures to prevent burnout should be integrated into the professionals' work environment, regardless of the impact of the current pandemic.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Prevention and oncopsychological training should be developed gradually at the organisational or personal level to avoid early burnout of professionals.

Health Experiences of Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study

This study characterizes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical health of nurses. Qualitative data (collected using semi-structured interviews) were integrated with quantitative data (collected concurrently using the SF-12 Health Survey). Nurses (N = 30) compared their health prior to and during the first pandemic wave (March-May 2020). Interviews were analyzed thematically; descriptive statistics and t-tests compared pre-pandemic to current SF-12 scores. Qualitative findings demonstrated an impact on nurses' mental health expressed as isolation, loss, intense emotions, and feelings of being expendable. Impact on nurses' physical health included exhaustion, personal protective equipment skin breakdown, limited breaks from work, and virus exposure. Quantitative results show nurses' experienced declines in overall mental health (p < .001), and multiple physical health domains: role limitations due to physical problems (p < .0001), bodily pain (p < .0001), and general health (p < .0001). Promotion of nurses' well-being and safety, as well as education in emergency preparedness, must be given precedence to protect nurses' health.

Does Quality of Care (QoC) Perception Influence the Quality of Life (QoL) in Women with Endometriosis? Results from an Italian Nationwide Survey during Covid Pandemic

(1) Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive illness that generates a slew of issues, lowering the quality of life of women. The purpose of this study was to look at the quality of life in women with endometriosis and how it relates to the quality of care. (2) Methods: This study is an online survey performed in Italy during the COVID pandemic using the Italian version of the Health Questionnaire SF-36 and a questionnaire for assessing the quality of care received. (3) Results: 1052 women with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis participated in the survey. The mean levels of Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) were 38.89 ± 10.55 and 34.59 ± 11.17, respectively. A total of 77% of women judged the services they received positively, and 51% considered the coordination between healthcare professionals to be satisfactory. The satisfaction index mean was 23.11 ± 4.80. PCS was positively related to Occupation, high educational level, physical activity, and health care satisfaction. MCS was positively related to higher age, physical activity, and health care satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The study indicated that satisfaction with health care was a significant predictor of QoL in women with endometriosis, for both physical and mental health.

A COVID-19 Patient's Request to Die and Ensuing Conflict: Psychodynamic Considerations

The role of psychodynamic theory in consultation-liaison (C-L) work, and particularly the importance of countertransference, has been well established. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers is a new factor that must now be taken into account as C-L psychiatrists traverse a changed healthcare landscape. In this article, we highlight the case of a critically ill COVID-19 patient who endorsed a desire for hastened death. This request generated significant conflict between the physicians and nurses caring for him, and it became challenging for the C-L team to perform our typical liaison function. We briefly review the existing literature on the psychological impact of the pandemic on healthcare workers, and examine how psychodynamic factors within this context impacted the events that unfolded. Themes under consideration include the effect of mass trauma on clinician defense mechanisms, and specifically the impact on countertransference toward patients who express a desire for hastened death. C-L psychiatrists themselves are not immune to such reactions and must be particularly attentive to emergent conflict in such cases. Interdisciplinary meetings to discuss and process these disagreements may be effective in repairing staff ruptures.

The emotional impact of COVID-19 on Spanish nurses and potential strategies to reduce it

BACKGROUND

Although the emotional and psychological impact of nurses' work had been identified before the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic aggravated risk indicators for their mental health.

AIM

The objective of this study was to analyse the levels of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and burnout of nurses in the Balearic Islands (Spain) during the pandemic to identify possible sociodemographic and related occupational factors.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of 892 nurses was conducted during four weeks from February to March 2021.

METHODS

Sociodemographic data related to the pandemic were collected and anxiety, depression, burnout and post-traumatic stress were measured with validated scales. A multivariate and predictive analysis was carried out with risk estimates.

FINDINGS

About 75.6% of the nurses had experience in COVID-19 units, and 49.1% had worked for more than 10 months in a COVID-19 unit. Nurses in COVID-19 units (hospital ward or ICU) were more likely to report emotional fatigue (OR 1.9, p < 0.001) and anxiety (OR 1.5, p = 0.021). In general, moderate post-traumatic stress was evident in general nurses (p = 0.027), and severe post-traumatic stress was evident in ICU nurses (p = 0.027). A 1.24-month reduction in COVID-19 patient care predicted reduced levels of emotional fatigue (5.45 points), depersonalisation (1.87 points) and post-traumatic stress (4.65 points) in nurses.

CONCLUSION

Given the occurrence of new waves of COVID-19, the need to establish preventive strategies that focus on the personal and occupational characteristics related to these indicators and to implement urgent psychological support strategies is demonstrated.

IMPACT

Given these findings, it is imperative solutions are urgently applied in order to prevent compounding risk to the health system.

Development and initial validation of the Japanese healthy work environment assessment tool for critical care settings

AIM

This study aims to translate the Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWE-AT) into Japanese and evaluate its validity and reliability.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The authors followed the guidelines for scale translation, adaptation, and validation in cross-cultural healthcare research. After translation and back-translation, a series of pilot studies were conducted to assess comprehensibility. Subsequently, an expert panel established the content validity. Content validity was calculated using the content validity index (CVI). Finally, we verified the construct validity and calculated the test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

The updated HWE-AT achieved sufficient comprehensibility after conducting the two pilot tests. Content validity was calculated using the scale-level CVI/average and all the items were 1.00. The content validity indices CFI and RMSEA were 0.918 and 0.082, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients for all dimensions ranged from 0.618 to 0.903, indicating acceptable test-retest reliability. Our findings suggest that the Japanese version of the HWE-AT has good validity and reliability.

[Covid-19, or the highlighting of a "gift of self-care"]

The pandemic has highlighted the self-sacrifice of caregivers, who are ready to give themselves for their patients. But what does it mean? The caregiver gives himself; but, by putting on a good face, he gives a distorted image of himself. This gift of a "non-self" is a gift of his "caregiver-self". Awareness of this aspect can help to better listen to oneself and provide some lines of thought for society.

Prevalence and correlates of psychological distress and coronavirus anxiety among hospital essential services workers in Singapore

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost all populations, with frontline workers experiencing a higher risk of mental health effects compared to other groups. Although there are several research studies focusing on the mental health effects of the pandemic on healthcare workers, there is little research about its impact on workers in outsourced hospital essential services. This study aims to examine the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress and coronavirus anxiety among staff working in 3 outsourced hospital essential services-housekeeping, porter service and maintenance services.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among outsourced hospital essential services workers in a tertiary hospital. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors and mental well-being were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Robust logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with psychological distress and dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19.

RESULTS

A total of 246 hospital essential services workers participated in the study. The prevalence of psychological distress was 24.7%, and dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19 was 13.4%. Social support and workplace support were found to be independently associated with a lower risk of psychological distress, and social connectivity was associated with a lower risk of dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the crucial roles of communities and workplaces in combating the mental health consequences of the pandemic. Public health programmes that aim to tackle the emerging mental health crisis in hospital essential services workers should incorporate strategies to address psychosocial factors, in addition to traditional self-care approaches.

Coaching as a Model for Facilitating the Performance, Learning, and Development of Palliative Care Nurses

Palliative care nurses experience huge pressures, which only increased with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A reflection on the new demands for nursing care should include an evaluation of which evidence-based practices should be implemented in clinical settings. This paper discusses the impacts and challenges of incorporating coaching strategies into palliative care nursing. Evidence suggests that coaching strategies can foster emotional self-management and self-adjustment to daily life among nurses. The current challenge is incorporating this expanded knowledge into nurses’ coping strategies. Coaching strategies can contribute to nurses’ well-being, empower them, and consequently bring clinical benefits to patients, through humanized care focused on the particularities of end-of-life patients and their families.

Nursing ethics in an era of pandemic

Background

The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, regularly revised since 1896, may not provide guidance in an era of pandemic and sociopolitical unrest.

Purpose

This study explored whether the Code of Ethics comprehensively address current nursing challenges.

Methods

23 nurses participated in six Zoom focus groups to discuss whether provisions were applicable to their current practice. An iterative approach was used to review transcripts independently and then merge findings to identify ethical themes.

Findings

Provisions 4, 6, and 8 were most relevant. None of the provisions addressed the guilt secondary to isolating patients from support systems and not being “on the front lines” of COVID care.

Discussion

The co-occurring crises of COVID-19 and social unrest created an ethical crisis for many nurses. The Code of Ethics provided a useful guide for framing discussion and formulating strategies for change, but did not eliminate distress during a time of novel challenges.

Mental Health Disorders in Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications and Coping Strategies

Nurses caring for patients who contract coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have experienced significant traumas in the form of increased workloads, negative patient outcomes, and less social support system access. Nurses should be provided with information regarding early detection, coping skills and treatment for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS)/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders. Early intervention is important as mental health disorders can cause dysfunction, internal suffering, and in the most extreme situations, lead to death if not properly cared for. Healthcare corporations should consider providing coverage for mental health treatment for employees who experience COVID-19 traumas. With the implementation of healthy coping skills and therapeutic intervention, nurses will be able to let go of the negative impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused and reintegrate into their roles as caring and entrusted health care providers. The current paper evaluates the mental health disorders encountered by nurses in the COVID-19 era based on the current medical literature and aims to provide practical coping strategies.

'Young saplings on fire' newly graduated nurses in the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

Aim

To explore the experiences of newly graduated nurses during the pandemic.

Background

Newly graduated nurses were employed during the pandemic by several countries to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative study with thematic analysis. The study was conducted with 14 newly graduated nurses.

Results

Themes were systematized into four variables of the system research organization model, and a total of 12 themes were identified. Nurses, who started to work in the beginning months of the pandemic, faced several difficulties in their transition period, including the difficulties of starting employment and the effects of the pandemic on both society and health systems.

Conclusions

During the pandemic, newly graduated nurses faced various difficulties in transition processes, difficulties in starting the employment process and the effects of the pandemic on both society and health systems. In order to reduce these effects, regulations are needed at all stages of the health system.

Implications for Nursing Management

It is the responsibility of health system policymakers, hospital managers, nurse managers and senior nurses to ensure that newly graduated nurses endure these pandemic conditions, which are quite challenging even for senior nurses, without any damage, and continue in the profession.

Creating a Blueprint of Well-Being in Oncology: An Approach for Addressing Burnout From ASCO's Clinician Well-Being Taskforce

Optimizing the well-being of the oncology clinician has never been more important. Well-being is a critical priority for the cancer organization because burnout adversely impacts the quality of care, patient satisfaction, the workforce, and overall practice success. To date, 45% of U.S. ASCO member medical oncologists report experiencing burnout symptoms of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. As the COVID-19 pandemic remains widespread with periods of outbreaks, recovery, and response with substantial personal and professional consequences for the clinician, it is imperative that the oncologist, team, and organization gain direct access to resources addressing burnout. In response, the Clinician Well-Being Task Force was created to improve the quality, safety, and value of cancer care by enhancing oncology clinician well-being and practice sustainability. Well-being is an integrative concept that characterizes quality of life and encompasses an individual's work- and personal health-related environmental, organizational, and psychosocial factors. These resources can be useful for the cancer organization to develop a well-being blueprint: a detailed start plan with recognized strategies and interventions targeting all oncology stakeholders to support a culture of community in oncology.

The COVID-19-Cancer Connection

I recently completed work at a large-scale, drive-through COVID-19 vaccination initiative and was immediately struck by its military parallel in mobilizing this emergent medical response. Federal personnel were deployed quickly to assist the local workforce untested in a public health domain. The expansive integration of technology was at a level I had not previously witnessed. Computerized algorithms organized the flow of cars through a huge fairground (think Disneyland Park). Databases were created to register the public, make appointments, and document the specifics of vaccination administration. From day one, the pharmacy tent was in constant overdrive to ensure vaccine supply was in sync with hourly demand. The interface of all these platforms vaccinated 2,300 people per day.

COVID-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned?

This issue of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing&nbsp;presents foundational content about clinical oncology care in the environment of a virulent pandemic, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to overwhelm global health and healthcare delivery systems.

The Role of Perceived Organizational Support in Mental Health of Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Data support the link between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and mental distress in healthcare workers (HCWs). Although previous studies have documented the association between organizational policies and employees' psychological and mental status, there is still scant evidence regarding the effect of perceived organizational support (POS) on mental distress in HCWs during the pandemic. Aims: The present study aimed to assess the association between POS and mental distress in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of POS in stress, depressive and trauma symptoms in HCWs was investigated. Methods: This was an online cross-sectional study in 424 HCWs. Data were collected during the first wave of the pandemic, and included demographics, a 7-item questionnaire assessing POS, the "Patient Health Questionnaire" assessing depressive symptoms, the "Impact of Events Scale Revised," measuring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the "Perceived Stress Scale" assessing perceived stress. Results: The mean POS score was 3.33 [standard deviation:1.85; range 0-7]. Younger (p < 0.001), less experienced (p < 0.001), female (p = 0.002), and non-physician HCWs (p = 0.031) were more likely to report lower self-perceived organizational support than older, male, more experienced physicians. Self-perceived organizational support was significantly and negatively associated with and self-assessed intensity of stress, depressive and traumatic symptoms, after adjusting for putative confounders (p < 0.001). Discussion: Self-perceived organizational support was significantly associated with HCWs' self-assessed mental status during the pandemic. Organizational support and mental distress should be addressed simultaneously in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase resilience among them.