Mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: reports from health professionals in Rio de Janeiro

To explore the perception of health professionals who worked in primary health care between 2020 and 2022, in the Manguinhos neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, regarding the risk and protective factors for their mental health during the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is a qualitative study integrated into a broader investigation on testing strategies, quarantine, digital health, and telemonitoring in areas of high socioeconomic vulnerability in Brazil. Three focus groups were conducted with community health agents and ten semistructured interviews with higher education professionals. The data were collected between November 2022 and March 2023. The analysis was conducted based on the psychodynamics of work, and the procedures followed the content analysis technique.

The study identified several factors that contributed to high levels of stress and anxiety among health professionals who worked in family health units during the Covid-19 pandemic. The main reported factor was the constant fear of death. Additionally, work overload, lack of adequate personal protective equipment, feelings of decision-making incapacity, and absence of mental health support exacerbated the impact on the professionals' health. Among community health agents, the perception of exclusion concerning the health professionals category was particularly noted.

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the urgent need to prioritize the mental health of health professionals from the onset of any health crisis. Preparing for future emergencies requires proactive actions, such as equitable distribution of workload, adequate provision of personal protective equipment, and free and accessible access to specialized mental health treatment for health professionals.