Nurses' perceptions of a mental health education programme for Australian nurses

Determining mental health literacy of undergraduate nursing students to inform learning and teaching strategies

There is limited research on mental health literacy among undergraduate nursing students in Australia. Overseas studies indicate significant gaps in students' knowledge and practice. The aims of this study were to (1) assess mental health literacy knowledge in undergraduate nursing students and compare these across year levels, and to (2) identify students' learning needs about mental health literacy in practice. A convenience sample of 114 Bachelor of Nursing students studying at one Australian University completed the online survey. Results showed that third-year students reported higher levels of mental health literacy compared to first- and second-year students. Almost 40% of students felt they did not have sufficient understanding of mental health literacy for practice. Most respondents (66.7%) wanted more information on different types of mental illnesses, treatments, how to reduce mental health stigma, and how to care for and communicate with people with mental illness. Students identified that mental health first aid training should be compulsory for all nursing students. Mental health literacy is a crucial area to be addressed in undergraduate nursing education. Explicit content and skill development are required to improve students' awareness of health literacy and inform their practice.

Workplace-Based Organizational Interventions Promoting Mental Health and Happiness among Healthcare Workers: A Realist Review

Mental illness, deemed globally to account for 32% of years lived with a disability, generates significant impacts on workplaces. In particular, healthcare workers experience high rates of mental ill health such as burnout, stress, and depression due to workplace conditions including excessive workloads, workplace violence and bullying, which also produces negative effects on patients as well as on the happiness and wellbeing of those who remain at work. This review was undertaken to synthesize the evidence on workplace-based interventions at the organizational level promoting mental health and wellbeing among healthcare workers, to identify what has been receiving attention in this area and why, especially considering how such positive effects are produced. A search of three premier health-related databases identified 1290 articles that discussed healthcare workers, workplace interventions, and mental health. Following further examination, 46 articles were ultimately selected as meeting the criteria specifying interventions at the organizational level and combined with similar studies included in a relevant Cochrane review. The 60 chosen articles were then analyzed following a realist framework analyzing context, mechanism, and outcome. Most of the studies included in the realist review were conducted in high-income countries, and the types of organizational-level interventions studied included skills and knowledge development, leadership development, communication and team building, stress management as well as workload and time management. Common themes from the realist review highlight the importance of employee engagement in the intervention development and implementation process. The literature review also supports the recognized need for more research on mental health and happiness in low- and middle-income countries, and for studies evaluating the longer-term effects of workplace mental health promotion.

The experiences of nurses with mental health problems: colleagues' perspectives

A 3-stage qualitative study conducted in 2008 aimed to explore the issues to inform a mental health education program to deliver to nurses. This article presents the findings of Stage 1. Data were collected from semistructured interviews conducted with 14 Australian nurses. The interviews explored nurses' knowledge and understanding of mental health problems and their workplace experiences of working with nurses with mental health problems. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for the main themes: textbook knowledge, day-to-day support, and workplace considerations. These nurses' narratives guided the implementation of a mental health education workshop targeting nurses (Stage 2).