We can all play a role in promoting the mental health of nurses and midwives

Recent occurrences reveal that mental disturbances not only affect general patients but also their immediate caregivers. Nurses and midwives deal with a variety of mental health problems that may affect their well-being and capacity to deliver high-quality treatment.

Low staffing levels press nurses to manage more patients and perform longer shifts, which increases stress and anxiety. Low salaries and inadequate training also exacerbate mental health problems because they lead to feelings of inefficiency at work. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety can also result from exposure to violence and trauma, such as seeing a patient in extreme suffering or dying.

Nurses and midwives can take personal measures to enhance their well-being and address these mental health challenges. Effective approaches include physical care for oneself, taking breaks when possible, having as many vacations as affordable, connecting with colleagues often, and making a friendly, peaceful, and well-groomed home environment to promote daily after-work healing. Regular health checkups also prevent self-diagnosis. Consulting a professional should also be considered in cases of advanced mental disturbance or impending emotional storms.

Employers are key in the promotion of health workers' mental health. Actions include a friendly working environment, adequacy of staff and resources, institutional mental health awareness, and counselling services for health workers.

The government can take steps such as boosting financial support for mental health services, providing manageable staffing, enhancing working conditions, and advancing mental health awareness and education.

In fostering mental health awareness and providing resources for mental health support, the government and community can both contribute to the mental well-being of nurses and midwives. This will not only improve the working atmosphere but also save lives.

The writer is a registered nurse at Nyeri County and a student nurse midwife at Aga Khan University