How to Reduce Cases of Depression and Anxiety Among Nurses
Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems among nurses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a recent survey by the American Nurses Foundation, nearly 40% of all nurses reported experiencing feelings of depression, and 62.51% reported anxiety symptoms [1]. These conditions can affect nurses’ well-being, performance, and patient care quality. Therefore, it is important to find effective ways to reduce depression and anxiety among nurses and promote their mental health.
Some of the factors that contribute to depression and anxiety among nurses are high-stress situations, fear of causing patient harm, difficulty in finding work-life balance, and toxic workplace culture [2]. These factors can create a sense of overwhelm, helplessness, guilt, and isolation among nurses. To cope with these challenges, nurses need to develop skills and strategies that can enhance their resilience, self-care, and support.
One of the skills that can help nurses reduce depression and anxiety is mindfulness. Mindfulness is a practice of paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance. Mindfulness can help nurses cope with stress, regulate emotions, improve focus, and increase compassion [3]. Mindfulness training can be delivered in various formats, such as online courses, apps, workshops, or group sessions. A systematic review of 15 studies found that mindfulness training can significantly reduce depression and anxiety among nurses [4].
Another strategy that can help nurses reduce depression and anxiety is seeking professional help. Many nurses may hesitate to seek help due to stigma, lack of time, or fear of losing their license. However, seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and courage. There are many resources available for nurses who need mental health support, such as employee assistance programs (EAPs), counseling services, hotlines, or peer support groups. Seeking help can help nurses address their mental health issues and prevent them from worsening.
A third strategy that can help nurses reduce depression and anxiety is creating a positive workplace culture. Nursing leaders play a key role in fostering a culture that values mental health, encourages communication, provides feedback, recognizes achievements, and prevents bullying. A positive workplace culture can enhance nurses’ job satisfaction, motivation, teamwork, and patient safety [2]. Nursing leaders can create a positive workplace culture by providing adequate staffing, resources, training, mentoring, and recognition for their staff.
In conclusion, depression and anxiety are serious mental health problems among nurses that need to be addressed. Nurses can reduce their depression and anxiety by practicing mindfulness, seeking professional help, and creating a positive workplace culture. These strategies can help nurses improve their mental health and well-being, as well as their professional performance and patient care quality.
Works Cited
[1] American Nurses Foundation. “New Mental Health and Wellness Survey Finds Depression Increasing Among Nurses.” American Nurses Association (ANA), 24 Feb. 2021 https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2021/new-mental-health-and-wellness-survey-finds-depression-increasing-among-nurses/
[2] Vaughn N. “Depression and Anxiety in Nurses.” Relias Media LLC., 9 Nov. 2020 https://www.relias.com/blog/depression-anxiety-in-nurses
[3] Guillaumie L et al. “Mindfulness interventions in the workplace: an inclusive systematic review and meta-analysis of their impact upon wellbeing.” Journal of Positive Psychology vol. 14 no. 5 (2019): 625-640 https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2018.1519588
[4] Guo J et al. “The effects of mindfulness training on emotional health in Chinese nursing students: A randomized controlled trial.” Nurse Education Today vol. 66 (2018): 15-20 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.03.019
