Racial and Ethnic Contributors to Healthcare Workforce Mental Distress

Objectives Beyond the universal emotional and mental health challenges faced by all healthcare workers, individuals identifying with certain racial and ethnic groups face amplified stressors and barriers. This study evaluated disparities in mental health struggles experienced by healthcare staff from various racial and ethnic groups within a large, academic medical center. Methods Utilizing data from The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Interactive Screening Program, over 6000 healthcare students, trainees, staff and faculty since 2009 at one large academic health system, this study compared differences in burnout, depression, intense affective states, suicide risk factors, mental health treatment, perceived stigma regarding help-seeking, and attitudes towards institutional support among different racial and ethnic cohorts. Results A disproportionate burden of depression, suicide risk, loneliness, and hopelessness was revealed among Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) and multiracial-identifying individuals relative to non-Hispanic White-identifying individuals. Hispanic individuals were more likely to report intense loneliness and hopelessness. AAPI and Hispanic/Latino-identifying groups were more likely to perceive institutional support as inadequate. AAPI healthcare workers reported less engagement with mental health treatment. Individuals who chose not to disclose their racial or ethnic identity exhibited disproportionately high levels of burnout, suicide risk, loneliness, hopelessness, perceived stigma toward mental health treatment, lower utilization of mental health services, and dissatisfaction with institutional mental health services. Conclusions Findings underscore the importance of recognizing racial and ethnic disparities in mental health and access to mental health care for a diverse workforce, and the need to prioritize inclusive, accessible, and effective resources and policies.