More than ever, the focus on nurse mental health is increasing. New programs such as Happy Nurses, which connect nurses with a 24/7 support team, and A Nursing State of Mind, a podcast that offers encouragement and practical tips, are gaining popularity amongst the profession. Support for nurses is also being addressed in organizations, such as the Therapy Coalition, which provides short-term therapy at low fees for essential workers. Support for nurse mental health will continue to increase in the coming years, and nursing informatics will become more advanced.
Workplace stress
The current work-life balance in the nursing profession is not conducive to a healthy mental state. According to a recent survey by the American Nurses Foundation, nearly half of young nurses have sought professional help for mental health problems since March 2020. Nearly 60% of those surveyed between the ages of 25 and 35 say they are experiencing burnout or are at risk of it. Furthermore, the survey found that nurses in both age groups say they feel unsupported by their employers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the incidence of anxiety, depression, and other health problems among healthcare workers. These mental health challenges have created additional barriers to the well-being of healthcare workers. In order to address these barriers, COVID-19 is supporting local resources for nurses and other health professionals, as well as training for managing high stress environments. It also highlights that health care workers have an obligation to be aware of the signs of workplace stress so that they can take steps to mitigate their effects.
Burnout
More organizations are recognizing the importance of supporting nurses’ mental health. The Happy App, for example, is a platform created especially for nurses with an on-demand 24-hour support team. Nurses can also subscribe to the podcast A Nursing State of Mind, which offers tips and encouragement for improving their own mental health. Nurses sharing their stories, such as Odell’s, are also contributing to the growing awareness of the issue. The growing demand for mental health care will continue to drive the growth of nursing informatics.
There are a number of reasons why nurses suffer from mental health issues. Burnout, for example, is a major cause of self-reported medical errors. In addition, chronic job stress can lead to other problems, such as substance use and cynicism. Many nurses report experiencing depression, anxiety, and substance use. Although many of these problems are a result of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and workplace cultures can also be a contributing factor.
It’s no secret that nursing professions suffer from unprecedented levels of stress and depression. Workplace cultures and bullying contribute to this crisis. Nurses need better access to mental health resources, and system-level approaches to health promotion can help ease the burden. Here are five ways in which access to nurse mental health resources can improve. These include: a. Nurses should be able to access confidential screenings and referrals to mental health services.
To improve access, health care systems and provider groups are expanding access to nurse-led mental health services. Increasing the number of health care workers in underserved communities will result in more mental health professionals and fewer health disparities. HHS has allocated $50 million for pilot models aimed at embedding mental health services in non-traditional settings. Further, HHS has announced that it will continue its support for nurse-led efforts to promote workplace mental health resources.
Training programs
More people are becoming aware of the mental health issues of nurses. For example, the Happy App is a virtual platform for nurses that provides a 24/7 support team. The Nursing State of Mind podcast offers practical tips and encouragement for nurses. The Therapy Coalition provides low-cost short-term therapy for essential workers. Various initiatives are increasing the focus on mental health and preparing nurses to meet the demands of the future. Among other things, technology is changing the way education works.
The nursing profession is experiencing unprecedented rates of burnout, depression, and anxiety. While many of these issues are a result of stressful work environments, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and workplace cultures, mental health in nurses is on the rise. Fortunately, system-level efforts to improve the mental health of nurses are likely to help alleviate this burden. Here are some of the top trends that will affect the nursing workforce in the coming years:
