In light of the upcoming World Mental Health Day under the theme “Mental Health at Work”, to be celebrated on 10 October, it is important to remind that over the last few years, nurses mental health and well-being have been put at strain with covid-19 pandemic, and the ongoing war and conflicts. Nurses have showed their dedication to deal with the stress, death, fear and incredible resilient, doing their job in very poor working conditions, suffering from anxiety and psychological stress, during heavy working shifts and making life-or-death decisions.
Nurses continue to face constant challenges that strain their psychophysical well-being. Therefore, it is urgent to transform mental health and make sure the EU decision makers take concrete actions to change attitudes, actions and approaches to mental health. Support nurses and sustain their mental health are key for delivering high quality care and creating a resilient healthcare ecosystem.
Invited as keynote speaker to the Hungarian EU Presidency meeting on “Mental health and the triple planetary crisis: a call for action”, the EFN made it clear that with 30% of the EU nursing workforce that left the profession and many more that have at least considered leaving the profession, it is more than time to invest in a highly educated EU nursing workforce, in line with Directive 2013/55/EU, so they can continue to provide high-quality patients care during times of crisis, and cope with the mental health challenges rising from it.
The meeting, organised together with WHO, opened the debate on the triple planetary crisis of climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss that poses threats not only to physical health but also to mental well-being. Triple planetary crisis is a health crisis, and mental health challenges stemming from it will only increase – around 1 billion people live with a mental health disorder, but most of them do not have any access to mental health services, leaving a gap of nearly 90%, and a huge gap on society, especially, as member states do not invest in mental health prevention.
It is therefore crucial to have a planetary approach if we want to be successful, and to put in place emergency/preparedness/response plans. To reach high levels of mental health psychosocial support it is key to have funding and strong partnerships. The interconnected causes must be tackled, and policies that promote mental health vigilance implemented, as well as promote collaboration at all levels. Next to that, it is key to continue tackling the mental health crisis at all levels – national, regional and global, especially with the new EU Commission and the upcoming Polish EU Presidency. If nothing is done, frontline healthcare professionals will greatly suffer, as the European health workforce is already too stretched out.
