CHWs suffer acute mental strain, study demonstrates

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are going through major mental health issues, including stress, anxiety, and burnout due to various challenges they face when providing services, according to a recent study. The study conducted by some local health experts highlights that while healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists also face similar challenges, they often lack psychological support, partly due to a prevailing belief that they are immune to these issues. Professor Tumbwene Mwansisya from the Aga Khan University (AKU) presented the findings at a health research forum, organised by Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) through the Tanzania Mental Health Community of Practice (TMH-CoP). In his presentation, Prof. Mwansisya emphasised the urgent need for targeted psychological counseling programmes for healthcare workers to mitigate the adverse effects on their service quality and communication. He noted that healthcare workers are often seen as trees that always appear green and thriving, implying they should not fall ill. This misconception adds to their stress. CHWs, who volunteer and often face issues of inadequate compensation while being part of the community, experience additional stress compared to doctors or nurses who work in formal settings.