Suicide rates are higher in nurses than the general population. The nature of the work done by nurses increases their risk of anxiety, stress disorders, and depression. While the nature of the nursing profession increases the likelihood of encountering stress, it also decreases the likelihood of nurses being aware of the signs of stress and distress in themselves and coworkers due to the focus on patients. However, in an effort to ensure that nurses are adequately prepared to address mental illness in their patients, it is essential for them to feel empowered to seek mental health care for themselves.
Nurses have not entirely overcome the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment. Due to the nature of the job, additional effort is often required for nurses to have access to mental health care and engage in sufficient self-care. Participants will be able to identify the benefits of being emotionally healthy and challenges to being emotionally healthy. They will also be able identify signs of burn out and compassion fatigue, as well as suicide risk factors specific to nurses. Participants will be aware of available resources for themselves, colleagues, or patients, and know when and how to seek help. They will also be able to identify coping skills and ways to incorporate them into their lives or mental health practice.
Workshop Learning Objectives:
After attending this introductory level workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Describe signs of burn out and compassion fatigue specific to nurses
2. List suicide risk factors specific to nurses
3. Utilize coping skills specific for nurses in mental health practice
4. Identify available resources on suicide prevention for nurses