Mental health support for nursing staff by the CNS in liaison psychiatric mental health nursing

Abstract

Addressing occupational mental health problems is an important social issue today. A similar situation is observed in nursing, as there are increasing concerns about nurses’ poor mental status due to the current situation of medical services. This situation requires measures to improve bed occupancy rates, such as shortening hospital stays, in addition to changes in clinical environments, represented by increased numbers of aged patients and those with concurrent diseases and the promotion of advanced, complex medical service systems. A favorable mental health status of nurses as professionals supporting others is a prerequisite for the provision of high-quality medical services; therefore, such problems should be addressed not only individually, but also systematically. Mental health support by the CNS in liaison psychiatric mental health nursing corresponds to the category of care by workplace health team staff. In the author’s facility, mental support is being provided mainly through individualized consultation services by ward managers, psychiatrists, and clinical psychologists in cooperation, while performing activities to enhance employees’ recognition of such services available within the facility. Considering that a large number of nurses using consultation services are immediately advised to take a rest from their jobs, it may be necessary to establish appropriate systems for self- and team care, in order to lead nurses to identify their own mental disorders and consult in the early stages.