As the world celebrates World Mental Health Day today, the Africa Centre for Disease Control, the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) have launched a global campaign to call for more global attention on the mental health needs of health workers worldwide.

The campaign seeks to amplify the voices of frontline health professionals and future health professionals to raise awareness about the factors that make health workers particularly vulnerable to mental ill-health. 

According to a statement released by the African CDC, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 25 percent of health and care workers reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and burnout. 

However, the mental health crisis in the health sector persists, says the statement, exacerbated by staff shortages, low pay, and stressful working conditions.

World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.

The theme for this year is 'Mental Health at Work.