The 33rd European Congress of Psychiatry, recently held in Madrid, Spain, underscored the critical need for mental health care and prevention strategies specifically aimed at healthcare professionals.

During the congress, David Gurrea Salas from Switzerland pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated stressors within the healthcare profession, resulting in heightened levels of burnout among professionals.

Laura Orsolini, a researcher from Italy, identified several significant risk factors impacting the mental health of healthcare workers, including high workloads, inadequate mentorship, and financial pressures.

Orsolini also highlighted a fundamental imbalance in the profession, where the high effort exerted by healthcare professionals is frequently met with low rewards and a lack of recognition.

In response to these challenges, Salas urged healthcare workers to be vigilant in recognizing stress signals and to adopt coping strategies such as mindfulness, exercise, and seeking social support.

Egor Chumakov, a psychiatrist from Russia, emphasized the importance of early burnout prevention during medical education and encouraged seeking help at the first signs of burnout or depression.

Dinesh Bhugra, former president of the World Psychiatric Association, proposed a range of strategies at the congress, including personal, organizational, and governmental approaches to combat burnout among healthcare professionals.

Bhugra also recommended that organizations ensure support resources are accessible, confidential, and meet necessary standards, while governments should promote training and research focused on mental health in the healthcare sector.

Additionally, Bhugra advocated for proactive personal health measures, such as regular visits to primary care physicians and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, as essential steps for preventing burnout.

Key protective factors for mental health, according to Orsolini, include social support, self-esteem, and professional satisfaction, which can help mitigate the effects of stress in the profession.