ORCID
0009-0007-7335-1417
Abstract
Research shows that some essential workers, such as healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders (including police officers, paramedics, and firefighters), are at greater risk for developing both short- and long-term mental health problems (Berger et al., 2012; Canady, 2022; Grey et al., 2020; Haugen et al., 2012; Mohamed et al., 2022; Petrie et al., 2018). The most prevalent of these include anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as other social and cognitive problems—with stress causing harmful effects on mental health and potentially resulting in anxiety and depression, which may then disrupt an individual’s social relationships, family life, and work. Although healthcare workers were among those who were most impacted by the pandemic, when other pandemic-related stresses and mental health issues were examined outside of the healthcare sector, there is a lack of data on the psychological challenges experienced by all essential workers (Jainbo et al., 2020). In Trinidad, for example, available data is unknown for research studies conducted on essential workers except for healthcare workers. It is vital, therefore, to mitigate trends in poor mental health and increase stress support and mental well-being among all essential workers. The purpose of this study is to address the gap in COVID-related stress and mental health information for all workers in the Trinidad workforce.
