TEHRAN / ZANJAN — A nationwide mental health self-assessment initiative has officially commenced for the workforce of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). This national program, developed to monitor and support the psychological well-being of the healthcare workforce (the “National Health Team”), is being implemented through a joint collaboration between the MOHME Office of Mental, Social Health, and Addiction and the MOHME Center for Public Relations and Information.The initiative represents a strategic effort to address occupational mental health, mitigate burnout, and promote psychological resilience among healthcare personnel nationwide.

Screening Methodology and Focus Areas

Under the protocol, standardized SMS notifications are being sent to various cadres of healthcare and administrative staff within the ministry and its affiliated medical sciences universities. These notifications direct personnel to a specialized, 11-item self-assessment questionnaire.

The screening instrument is designed to evaluate preliminary indicators of:

• Generalized anxiety
• Depressive symptoms
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) / Traumatic stress indicators

Confidentiality and Follow-Up Protocols

To ensure high engagement and reliable clinical data, the self-assessment process is conducted under strict confidentiality protocols. Individual data will remain completely secure. In instances where the screening indicates clinically significant distress or symptoms, and upon the explicit consent and readiness of the participant, individual contact details will be processed to initiate specialized follow-up care and targeted supportive interventions. This initiative marks a proactive, system-wide step toward prioritizing the occupational mental health of healthcare professionals, ensuring that those who safeguard public health receive the necessary psychological support to sustain their vital work.