THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR SELFHARM AMONG AUSTRALIAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

Background: Thoughts of suicide and self-harm among healthcare workers are an important concern for healthcare workers, their families and the patients they serve. Objectives: To identify risk factors for thoughts of suicide or self-harm, and predictors of help-seeking, among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Analysis of data from the Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study, a large national online survey of healthcare workers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Findings: Overall, 819 of 7795 (10.5%) healthcare workers reported occasional or frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm during a 2-week period. Odds were higher among healthcare workers who were male, younger and living alone, and among those with poor physical health, prior mental health (MH) conditions, increased income worries, increased alcohol use or who had friends or family members infected with COVID-19. Having dependent children was protective. Fewer than half of the healthcare workers who reported thoughts of suicide or self-harm sought professional support. The odds of help-seeking were lower among men than women, and lower among emergency department workers than those in community or primary care. Healthcare workers with thoughts of suicide or self-harm were more likely to seek support if they were younger or had prior MH concerns. Conclusion: More than 1 in 10 healthcare workers had thoughts of suicide or self-harm during the second wave of the pandemic in Australia, with certain groups more vulnerable. Low rates of help-seeking highlight ongoing barriers to healthcare workers receiving MH care, which must be urgently addressed.