Mental Health Status of Public Health Care Givers in Bhopal District: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Public health care givers, including frontline health workers, are exposed to chronic occupational stressors including high patient load, night duties, and resource constraints. Systematic mental health assessment of this workforce remains limited in Central India, especially in the post-COVID period.

Objective: To assess the mental health status and its domains among public health care givers including frontline health workers aged 18–50 years in Bhopal district using a standardized 38-item psychological inventory.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 purposively selected public health care givers including frontline health workers aged 18–50 years working in District Hospital, Community Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, and Health & Wellness Centres of Bhopal from August to September 2025. After obtaining Institutional Ethics Committee approval and written informed consent, a pre-tested questionnaire was administered. The 38-item inventory assesses Anxiety, Depression, Loss of Behavioral/Emotional Control, General Positive Affect, Emotional Ties, and Life Satisfaction. Scores were transformed to a 0–100 scale where higher scores indicate better mental health. A Global Mental Health Index score <52>

Results: Among 30 participants aged 18–50 years, 70.0% were female. The mean Global Mental Health Index was 41.7 ± 16.6 (range 14.1–74.2). The prevalence of poor mental health was 73.3% (22/30, 95% CI: 55.6–85.8%). The mean Psychological Distress Index was 45.8 ± 22.7 and Psychological Well-being Index was 37.6 ± 17.6. The most affected domains were Life Satisfaction (83.3% <52>

Conclusion: Nearly three-fourths of public health care givers including frontline health workers aged 18–50 years in Bhopal had poor mental health. Frontline health workers continue to experience substantial psychological impact in the post-COVID period, predominantly characterized by depression and low life satisfaction. Institutional mental health support systems and regular screening are urgently recommended for this workforce.