Mental Health Challenges Among Psychiatric Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Türkiye and Future Directions

Objective: This study aimed to examine the psychological challenges faced by mental health professionalsworking in COVID-19-specific psychiatric inpatient units compared to those working in regular (nonCOVID) psychiatric inpatient settings. Additionally, it explored differences across hospital types (mentalhealth hospitals vs. general hospitals) and professional roles.Methods: A total of 153 mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, nurses, and support staff,were recruited from psychiatric units in general and mental health hospitals in Türkiye. Among them,82 were assigned to COVID-19-specific psychiatric services, while 71 worked in regular psychiatricunits. Participants completed an online survey including the Perceived Stress Scale, Patient HealthQuestionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Fear of COVID-19 Scale.Results: Nurses reported significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, fear ofCOVID-19, and perceived stress compared to other staff (P < .01). Perceived stress was significantly higheramong professionals working in mental health hospitals compared to general hospitals (P=.024). However,no significant differences were found between those working in COVID-19-specific and regular psychiatricunits in terms of anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms, or fear of COVID-19.Conclusion: Mental health professionals in psychiatric settings experienced substantial psychologicalburden during the pandemic, with nurses and staff in mental health hospitals being particularly vulnerable.These findings highlight the need for targeted psychological support and institutional interventions inpsychiatric inpatient care.Cite this article as: Ergelen M, Sayıner ACT, Kaya H, et al. Mental health challenges among psychiatric healthcare workersduring the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from Türkiye and future directions. Neuropsychiatr Invest. 2025, 63, 0034,doi:10.5152/NeuropsychiatricInvest.2025.25034.