Nursing's Silent Crisis: Supporting Mental Health Can Save Lives and Careers

Did you know that nursing is ranked the most trustworthiness profession for 22 years in a row, according to the Gallup organization? Additionally, nurses are the backbone of our medical system and without adequate nurses the healthcare system in the United States would crumble. With this ranking and importance comes some dreaded consequences which have only gotten worse over the past 25 years, and it is hidden from public view. These consequences...increasing mental health concerns for these trusted individuals. Why are mental health issues on the rise, and why is it so hidden?

There are three significant factors contributing to mental health challenges within the nursing profession. Let's take a quick look at each of these. First, stress and burnout. It is no secret that nurses work in high-pressure environments and are often exposed to emotionally taxing situations, like patient pain and suffering, ethical dilemmas, and death. Over time, this can lead to chronic stress, fatigue, and burnout, which negatively impacts mental health. Secondly, there are increasing staff shortages and high workloads. With an increasing demand for health services, particularly during the Covid pandemic, there is a shortage of qualified nurses and many are faced with working long hours, heavy patient loads, and little downtime. This results in exhaustion, increasing stress levels, and a greater risk of making mistakes, ultimately affecting mental well -being. Third, lack of support and self-care. Nurses are caregivers and focused on the needs of their patients, often neglecting their own needs. This lack of self-care, combined with a perceived lack of support from colleagues and leadership, exacerbates mental health issues often contributing to feelings of isolation and decreased job satisfaction.

But there are also some less know, hidden contributors as well. These relate to poor leaders, excessive work demands, and bullying. Under the calm demeanor of the nurse caring for you and/or your love one, there could be mental distractions making it difficult for them to deliver adequate care or pick up on the subtle changes in assessments. Just how widespread is this issue? The American Nurses Association has found in recent studies that 44% of nurses report symptoms of depression and 58% experience anxiety. Even more devastating, studies show that nurses have one of the highest rates of suicide among all professions, with an estimated 1 in 4 attempting to take their own life, which is more than double the national average.

It's time we come together as an industry to prioritize the mental health and wellness of our nurses. They deserve access to comprehensive support services, improved working conditions, and a culture that destigmatizes seeking help. We must destigmatize mental health, provide accessible resources, provide time for the nurses to take advantage of the resources, and prioritize the overall wellness of those who keep our healthcare system running. The health of our healthcare system depends on the well-being of our nurses. Let's act now to address this critical issue and ensure our caregivers receive the care they so desperately need.

What can be done? The following are some evidence-based strategies that can make a difference. First, implement comprehensive wellness programs that provide access to counseling, stress management techniques, and mental health resources, along with granting nurses time off to utilize the programs. Next, foster a culture of open communication and destigmatize discussions around mental health in the workplace. This needs to include discussions related to patient abuse, leadership abuse and bullying, peer bullying, and reporting mechanisms within your institution. Third, ensure adequate staffing levels and reasonable workloads to alleviate the burden on nurses. Next, provide training on self-care strategies and emotional intelligence to help nurses build resilience, and include training on techniques to thwart poor leaders and peer bullies. Fifth, establish peer-support networks and mentorship programs to cultivate a sense of community and belonging.

By taking these steps, which is in no way exhaustive, we can empower our nurses, improve job satisfaction, remove bullying, foster better leadership accountability and communication, and ultimately deliver better patient outcomes. Let's come together as an industry and prioritize the mental well-being of those who selflessly care for our communities.

References:

1. Smith, J.A., & Haight, B.K. (2020). Nursing Burnout and Mental Health: Strategies for Intervention. Journal of Nursing Practice, 15(2), 45-52.
2. Lee, H.F., Yoo, J.H., Han, S.Y., Chung, J.E., & Kang, S.M. (2019). The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Burnout in Nurses. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(6), 1226-1237.
3. Nurse.org . (n.d.). Nursing ranked most honest profession. Retrieved from https://nurse.org/articles/nursing-ranked-most-honest-profession/
4. American Nurses Association. (2019). Bullying and Workplace Violence. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/violence-incivility-bullying/
5. American Nurses Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/
6. Betz, M. E., & Ackerman, J. D. (2015). Nurse suicide: A systemic review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 12(5), 265-273. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26928707/