Temporary Staffing – Mental Health Issues for Healthcare Workers
When they fill a role in the healthcare industry, temporary workers play a valuable role in helping sick and injured people find the care and compassion they need. However, healthcare can be an emotionally-taxing industry, and temporary workers might find themselves at an increased risk of mental health issues.
While mental health issues are prevalent among all types of healthcare workers, temporary workers are at a high risk. This is because they may not receive the necessary training on how to deal with the high stress of their job.
Common Mental Health Risks for Temporary Healthcare Workers
For temporary workers in the healthcare industry, some of the most common mental health risks include:
Anxiety
- Healthcare is often a fast-paced, high-stress environment, where workers have to quickly handle emergency situations. This leads to an increased risk of anxiety, which can have symptoms like panic attacks.
Depression
- Temporary healthcare workers might be exposed to challenging situations, like caring for terminally-ill patients. This can increase their risk of depression.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- After a particularly stressful event, healthcare workers might develop post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition which can lead to depression and severe anxiety.
Sleep disorders
- Due to their long workdays and stressful environment, temporary workers are at a high risk of developing sleep disorders, which can have an impact on their health and daily life.
Substance abuse disorders
- When temporary healthcare workers suffer from conditions like anxiety or depression, they are also at an increased risk of dangerous substance abuse disorders, including drug and alcohol addiction.
Helping Temporary Healthcare Workers Navigate Mental Health Challenges
If you’re a business owner with temporary workers in the healthcare industry, you can take steps to prevent and address mental health concerns. Some simple steps include:
- Offering safety training for all employees, including topics like stress management and coping strategies
- Considering programs that promote a healthy work-life balance, such as peer support groups
- Having a reporting policy where workers can report mental health concerns and other workplace injury concerns
- Ensuring your business is in compliance with all state, federal, and industry-specific laws
If you need extra assistance around your business, we can help! At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we offer a suite of products to help businesses reduce risks, including a full PEO product with risk management and Workers’ Compensation services.
At Work Comp Business Insurance Solutions, we help temporary staffing business owners find the best Workers’ Compensation and payroll solutions. To learn more about our services and how we can help your temporary staffing business, visit us online at https://www.wcbis.com.
