Nurses and midwives have a huge responsibility of taking care of different kinds of patients. A number of factors specific to nursing and midwifery lead to increased stress, which can negatively impact wellbeing. Much is known about preventative measures that can reduce the unnecessary burden of stress.

In this solo episode the Nurse Wellbeing Mission podcast, Nathan Illman talks all about what preventive mental health is and what it looks like.

It also talks about the problems and barriers that are inherent in the nursing profession and the things that contribute to someone flourishing at work and having an optimized sense of well-being.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE

• Mental health is something that we all have. It's not just something someone with a mental health problem has.

• One definition of well-being is when someone is "contented, comfortable, and happy."

• When we think about preventative mental health, we think of the factors and conditions that might make someone at risk of developing mental health conditions and intervene with them before the person struggles with mental health difficulties.

• Several occupational factors lead the nursing work to have increased stress and increased stress most likely leads to burnout and other psychological difficulties.   

• Removing or reducing occupational hazards is important. People need to go to work feeling that they're safe.

• Supervisory or management relationships that are founded on trust, compassion, and respect are crucial.

• A clear job description is important, but an opportunity for employees to express themselves and to be more flexible with their roles contributes to job satisfaction and well-being. 

• Understanding the role of compassion, self-compassion, and emotional intelligence for nurses will help you flourish in your work and prevent the deterioration in mental health.

• There's a psychological role of being compensated financially as well.

• Having enough time and resources to do the job is also extremely important.

• Social support is one of the biggest protective factors of people's mental health and well-being.

• Culture is the underlying principles and beliefs that guide behavior and actions within a team, a department, or an organization.

• Well-being strategy is not about a single band-aid approach, it is about taking a broad look at the particular healthcare system, the organization, or the community and thinking about the particular needs of those individuals and ways their well-being can be supported over a long period.

• Early intervention helps prevent more serious issues.

The Factors to Consider in Preventative Mental Health:

-Nurses and midwifes self-identifying their own vulnerabilities before they start or during their training

-Proper funding for healthcare at the government level

-Building the right culture in the organization

-Having enough staff and resources in the workplace

-Meeting the employees’ basic needs

-Having the right conditions and environment

-Having social support

-Lifestyle interventions contributing to health (sleep, exercise, diet)

-Taking personal responsibility to enhance wellbeing in one's personal life

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