Everyone’s mental health has taken a hit because of the epidemic. Workers on the front lines are particularly affected. 50% of nurses report being depressed, nervous or both in certain surveys. In the Summer of 2020, Mental Health America conducted a poll and put the figure at a considerably higher level.

Healthcare employees were found to be 93% stressed out.

As a nurse at Advent Health Shawnee Mission’s COVID-19 unit, Chelsea Hahn shoulders a heavy weight every time she enters a patient’s room. Hahn bears a weight that extends far beyond the confines of the hospital. To be allowed to attend work every day beginning in May of 2020, she will be required to take antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

“However, “Hahn continued, “people die every day despite the amount of effort that you put in.” How can you not feel like a failure to your family when you’re weary and stressed?”

It’s a sentiment shared by nurses all throughout the world.

According to Kelly Sommers, a director of the Kansas State Nurses Association (KSNA), “We will continue to see more deaths, we will continue to see more who are disabled from COVID-19,” Sommers said. “And those nurses are still required to be on hand to provide assistance. As a result of mental health issues, you’re going to lose nurses.

Hahn remains steadfast as the outbreak enters its third year.

“I became a nurse because of my passion for helping others. And if I leave, who will look after the people? Having a positive impact on people’s lives every single day is what makes it worthwhile.” Hahn made the comment.

In contrast to Hahn, a growing number of nurses are deciding to leave the profession, which is experiencing record levels of burnout. The overworked will have to do extra work as a result.

Kansas just authorized SPARK funding for hospitals, which in turn will provide additional compensation for frontline employees. In contrast to the national average of $80,000 per year, nurses in Kansas earn roughly $60,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.