The Mental Health of Nurses and Doctors (MeND) survey, conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with the European Commission, provides comprehensive evidence on the mental health, well-being, and working conditions of healthcare professionals across 29 European countries. With over 90,000 responses, the findings highlight a high prevalence of mental health challenges and unsafe working conditions, including long working hours, shift work, and workplace violence. Importantly, the report identifies clear links between working conditions and mental health outcomes, while also pointing to protective workplace factors and policy priorities.

The MeND report is expected to be launched during the European Public Health Week 2026, providing a timely opportunity to reflect on its implications. While the report offers robust system-level evidence and policy recommendations, there is a need to contextualise these findings through the lived experiences of the health workforce, particularly from a youth and next-generation perspective. Students and early-career professionals might experience these challenges differently, especially during transitions into the workforce.

This session aims to explore how the MeND findings resonate across earlier career stages and different professions and what is needed to translate evidence into meaningful improvements in working conditions and mental health.