DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: FACTORS, IMPLICATIONS AND COPING STRATEGIES

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to the development of depression and anxiety among health professionals, analyze their implications in professional practice and identify effective coping strategies. Carried out with a qualitative exploratory approach, it had a sample of 15 health professionals, whose data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed by discourse analysis. The results revealed that factors such as work overload, lack of institutional support, and stigma in relation to seeking psychological help are among the main triggers of these disorders, which negatively impact the quality of care, increase the risks of clinical errors, and affect the personal lives of workers. Coping strategies such as therapy, physical exercise, and mindfulness were mentioned as effective, although the use of less adaptive mechanisms was also reported. The research concluded that coping with depression and anxiety among these professionals requires an integrated approach, involving institutional measures, public policies and individual practices to promote a healthier work environment and ensure the quality of the services provided.