Mental Wellbeing Support Resources

Dr Judy Davidson and their team established that nurses are at higher risk for suicide than the general population in their groundbreaking 2020 publication >> https://lnkd.in/gbkNnxt9 I find that very few nursing and healthcare professionals know this fact as I speak and write on nurse mental health for a global audience. For world #suicidepreventionday, I want to encourage all of us to talk about nurse mental health and suicide. It’s important as both nurses ourselves and also, to help inform us as both care providers so we can better support our patients and professional community. Read “Suicide Among Nurses: We have to talk about it.” >> https://lnkd.in/gYj-SDhf Mental illness and suicidal thoughts are not something to be ashamed of. As a nurse who experiences both, I want to emphasize that you can be an amazing nurse while managing mental health conditions and suicidality. But you don’t have to do it alone and you should definitely triage yourself and consider when it’s ok to be working with patients depending on how you feel. Mental health is just as important as physical health. You have to take care of your mental wellness just as much as your physical wellness. If you’re in #nursingschool, take this as a sign that you need to work on your mental health support strategies. Not every nurse is part of a suicide statistic but we do have unique occupational stressors that can put us at risk if we don’t care for ourselves. Read “Supporting the Mental Health of Early Career Emergency Nurses” >> https://lnkd.in/g-enyUfq Leaders, remember that the work environment impacts nurse mental health. There are many best practice recommendations on how to create a healthy work environment to support your staff’s mental wellness. Read “The Impact of Nurses’ Work Environment on Mental Health and Suicide” >> https://lnkd.in/gWkpGd6W I am sharing some of my favorite mental health resources and organizations, many of which focus on supporting healthcare workers. This is not a comprehensive list, so add to it in the comments if you have a resource that you love and want to share with others. 💛🧠 Mental health resources: 988 Lifeline - 988 >> https://988lifeline.org Debriefing the Frontlines @debriefingthefrontlinesinc >> https://lnkd.in/gzfG89YH Don’t Clock Out @dontclockout >> https://lnkd.in/gc3qtqXE Operation Happy Nurse @operationhappynurse >> https://lnkd.in/gTqKxprQ Emotional PPE Project @emotionalppe >> https://emotionalppe.org Therapy Aid Coalition @therapyaidcoalition >> https://therapyaid.org National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) @namicommunicate >> https://lnkd.in/gqi8S5-b #nursesonlinkedin #mentalhealth #suicide

Today I had the privilege of joining a panel with Oregon SHRM to discuss how organizations can better support worker mental health. While I’m not a mental health clinician, my work focuses on how workplaces can adapt to meet the evolving needs of their workforce, reexamine the structure of work itself, and provide meaningful support and resources. One key point that always arises is the need for training and development for leaders. Leaders play a critical role in creating environments where employees feel supported - and yet, many don’t know where to start. Here are two evidence-based, free or low-cost resources I recommend: The Safety, Health and Improvement Program (SHIP), Total Worker Health® Toolkit by the Oregon Healthy Workforce Center. Designed for supervisors and managers in any industry, this program facilitates team-based discussions to improve work-life balance. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g84FmfKa Psych Hub's Mental Health Ally Training. This resource offers courses to help individuals recognize mental health symptoms, build coping skills, and understand treatment options - equipping them to better support themselves and others. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gAv2md22 Building a culture of mental health support starts with small, actionable steps. These tools are great places to begin! #MentalHealth #TotalWorkerHealth #WorkplaceWellbeing

In my latest op-ed for Forbes, I discuss how employers can support their teams' mental well-being—and why it’s a win-win for both employees and businesses. We know that poor mental health can lead to burnout, disengagement, and costly turnover, but with the right strategies, we can change that. One initiative I’m particularly proud of is our new, free, anonymous online mental health screening tool, launched in collaboration with Mental Health America. This tool empowers individuals to take charge of their mental health by identifying potential concerns in just a few minutes, with immediate access to resources and referrals for support. It is so important for workplaces and our communities to prioritize mental health and foster a culture of care. https://lnkd.in/ekzUWWA6