DiversityNursing Blog

Nursing is among the most challenging professions, demanding physical, emotional, and mental strength. The intense environment, extended shifts, and regular exposure to trauma can impact mental health. Even with growing awareness of mental well-being in healthcare, many Nurses are reluctant to pursue psychological assistance. Recognizing the factors that affect their willingness to seek support is crucial for promoting a healthier workforce.

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

One of the primary barriers preventing Nurses from seeking psychological help is the stigma associated with mental health issues. Many Nurses fear being perceived as weak or unfit for their role if they admit to struggling. This stigma is often reinforced by workplace culture, where resilience is valued over vulnerability.

Work-Related Burnout

Nurses face high levels of stress due to long shifts, understaffing, patient care responsibilities, and administrative burdens. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, is prevalent among Nurses. While stress increases the need for psychological support, burnout can create feelings of hopelessness that deter Nurses from seeking help.

Lack of Time and Accessibility

Heavy workloads and long shifts leave Nurses with little time to prioritize their own well-being. Scheduling therapy sessions can be challenging, especially when working rotating shifts. A lack of accessible mental health resources, especially in rural or underfunded healthcare settings, also limits Nurses' ability to seek professional help.

Organizational Support and Policies

The presence (or absence) of workplace policies supporting mental health greatly influences help-seeking behavior. Organizations that offer confidential counseling services, employee assistance programs (EAPs), and mental health days are more likely to encourage Nurses to seek help. A lack of institutional support may reinforce the idea that mental health is not a priority.

Personal Beliefs and Coping Strategies

Individual attitudes toward mental health care also play a significant role. Some Nurses may view psychological help as unnecessary, believing they should handle stress independently. Others may rely on personal coping mechanisms such as exercise, meditation, or social support instead of professional intervention. While these strategies can be beneficial, they may not always be sufficient for addressing deeper mental health concerns.

Peer and Leadership Influence

The attitudes of colleagues and leadership can either encourage or discourage Nurses from seeking help. A supportive work environment where mental health is openly discussed can reduce stigma and empower Nurses to prioritize their well-being. On the other hand, if supervisors and peers downplay the importance of mental health, Nurses may feel pressured to endure their struggles in silence.

Fear of Career Consequences

Nurses may worry seeking psychological help could negatively impact their career. Concerns about professional reputation, job security, or even licensure can prevent them from accessing the support they need. Addressing these fears requires clear policies that protect Nurses' rights to seek mental health care without professional repercussions.

Encouraging Help-Seeking Behavior

To create a supportive environment where Nurses feel comfortable seeking psychological help, healthcare organizations and leaders can:

• Promote mental health awareness by normalizing discussions around stress, burnout, and emotional well-being.

• Ensure confidentiality in counseling and support services to alleviate fears of professional consequences.

• Increase accessibility to mental health resources, including on-site counseling, flexible therapy options, and digital mental health tools.

• Encourage leadership advocacy where Nurse managers and senior staff model healthy behaviors and open conversations about seeking help.

• Implement wellness programs that integrate mental health into daily routines, such as mindfulness sessions or peer support groups. 

Addressing the factors that mediate Nurses’ behavior toward seeking psychological help is critical in fostering a resilient and healthy workforce. By breaking down barriers, reducing stigma, and providing accessible resources, healthcare institutions can empower Nurses to prioritize their mental well-being. This ultimately benefits both caregivers and patients alike.

Approximately 56 million American adults are struggling with a mental illness or substance use disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA).

An article from mentalhealth.gov, shows the current mental health workforce shortage is projected to grow and would leave the country 250,000 professionals short by 2025.

Only 44% of adults and 20% of children in the U.S. receive the mental health and substance use care they need because there is a growing shortage of qualified professionals trained to provide timely and effective treatment.

This lack of treatment significantly contributes to one of the leading causes of death in the U.S, suicide.

According to the same mentalhealth.gov article, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 41,000 lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide.

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) discusses the increase in children under 18 going to emergency departments due to attempts of suicide or suicidal ideation.

One reason demand for mental health professionals has increased is because more Americans are gaining health coverage. It's the law per the Affordable Care Act that insurers can no longer deny coverage to people who have diagnosed mental illnesses.

Also fewer medical students are specializing in psychiatry because psychiatry jobs don't pay as well as other fields. Students facing high medical school debt are more likely to pick the jobs offering better pay.

There has also been a surge in substance use disorders and greater public awareness of mental illness. Increased public awareness means more people living with mental illness will seek treatment.

Healthcare providers and the medical community at large need to implement a more supportive environment for the psychiatry profession. There should also be increased compensation for psychiatry jobs and student loan forgiveness or free/low-cost psychiatry schooling.

Policy makers should support and enact quality mental health services that will improve public health, particularly populations who most often have no access to mental health services.