Mental health: health worker narratives in the context of COVID-19 in Brazil.

Introduction: During the pandemic, "staying at home" was not an option for many people, especially health workers, who were on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 and whose mental health was threatened.

Objectives: This study highlights the psychological repercussions of the pandemic and the coping strategies used by health workers in an effort to develop mental health resources.

Methods: This qualitative exploratory study investigated the narratives of 14 health workers from an online focus group between August and September 2020, transcribing the meetings and performing thematic content analysis.

Results: The analysis resulted in 3 categories of experience: 1) the professional as a patient, especially the fear of suffering or dying based on daily experience; 2) the fine line between providing care and being a vector of transmission, which identified worries about infecting family members and work overload; and 3) coping strategies and mental health on an individual level, such as routines, care, faith, and learning lessons, as well as on a collective level, such as prevention measures and public policies.

Conclusions: Studies such as this can contribute to a framework of knowledge about coping strategies to maintain mental health among health workers. They also provide an opportunity to listen, which produces meaning, empathy, and recognition for these professionals.