Webinar to Promote Mental Wellness Among Healthcare Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

To the Editor: Mental health risks increase during the pandemic,1 owing to unpredictability and uncertainty, social distancing, loss of income, increase in alcohol use, and online gambling.2 In a survey of 1257 healthcare workers in China, 50.4% reported symptoms of depression, 44.6% reported symptoms of anxiety, 34.0% reported symptoms of insomnia, and 71.5% reported symptoms of distress.3 Healthcare professionals may be reluctant to seek care for mental health conditions. 40% of physicians reported that they would be reluctant to seek formal medical care for treatment of a mental health condition because of concerns about repercussions to their medical licensure.4 Primary prevention is important to reduce mental health risks in healthcare professionals. The 2-hour webinar was divided into five sessions: mental health information, parenting during the pandemic, stay-at-home activities, mental health self-care techniques, and play skills for parents with small children. The webinar was recorded and shared with all healthcare staff at Hong Kong East Cluster hospitals through The webinar helped improve my understanding about mental health problems during COVID-19 30 (85.7) The webinar helped improve my own mental health during COVID-19 27 (77.1) The webinar gave me useful information to improve family relationship 29 (82.9) The webinar improved my knowledge about community mental health resources 27 (77.1) The webinar improved my understanding about how to build resilience during COVID-19 29 (82.9) The webinar increased my motivation to nourish my own mental health during COVID-19 29 (82.9) The video quality of the webinar was good 30 (85.7) The sound quality of the webinar was good 30 (85.7) Compared to physical workshop, webinar did not compromise learning 28 (80.0) During the COVID-19 pandemic, webinar is preferred instead of physical workshop/staff forum 32 (91.4) I wish Hong Kong East Cluster can organise more webinars 30 (85.7) J Chung and WS Yeung emails and hospital websites, so that even those who did not join the webinar can benefit by watching the video.