IndexOutline of an Essay on Mental HealthIntroductionThe Role of Nurses in Maintaining Mental WellbeingChallenges Faced by NursesStrategies and Policies to Promote Mental HealthConclusionSample Essay on Mental HealthWorks Cited:Essay on Mental HealthIntroductionDefinition of Mental Health According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Importance of a support system for mental well-being The role of nurses in maintaining mental well-being The need for nurses to maintain holistic fitness for quality patient care Resilience as an attribute key for nurses The impact of psychosocial and environmental factors on mental health The challenges faced by nurses The stress and challenges of working in healthcare Shift work disorder and its consequences The prevalence of bullying in the healthcare sector Strategies and policies for promotion of mental health Policies and guidelines to minimize shift work disorder Measures to prevent workplace bullying The role of mental health support systems for nurses Conclusion The importance of mental well-being for nursesThe need of policies and support systems to promote mental health in the healthcare sectorExample essay on mental healthMental health, as described by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2014), is a state of healthy mind in which a person knows his or her own capabilities , ability to manage stress in everyday life, ability to work effectively, relate to others and be involved in the community. Additionally, a good support system such as friends, family, community, and the healthcare system can promote mental well-being. While mental health promotion advocates the importance of psychological well-being which will enable an individual to develop their own coping mechanism rather than the improvement of symptoms of poor mental health (WHO, 2002). It is the duty of healthcare professionals to provide and sustain an optimal level of holistic well-being of the patient. This is why nurses need to maintain physical, spiritual, social, emotional and psychological fitness to achieve quality nursing care to patients. One of the many strengths of being a nurse, Kester and Wei (2018) describe that resilience is essential to develop as it is a skill where a nurse is able to respond efficiently and stay focused in an environment hostile and a primary key to long-term results. nursing service is a positive mental attitude. In society, a wide variety of psychosocial and environmental aspects such as housing, education, salary, employment, use of public services, community help and individual skills in which all these determinants can transform into risk and protective factors that will influence the psychological health of subjects. a person and a community (Margaret, 2007). The nursing profession can be mentally demanding, so it is essential that workplace safety guidelines are regulated in hospitals and other organisations. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Some people think that working in a hospital is rewarding but stressful at the same time. Nurses are considered the backbone of hospitals; they see acute to complex cases on a daily basis. Like most workers, nurses have a three-shift rotating schedule each week and there are nurses who work full time and casual employees. Eldevik et al. (2013) found that nurseswho work less than 11 hours between shifts may suffer from quick-return-related shift work disorder (SWD), meaning work hours are scheduled during typical sleep hours. Evidence has shown that men have a higher number of incidents than women and SWD increased significantly among nurses who had 30 rapid returns and no rapid return requirements. Eldevik et al. (2013) also stated that SWD will develop when an individual is unable to coordinate the biological clock during work shifts. While Uribe and Schub (2018) describe people suffering from SWD may show an abnormal circadian rhythm due to disturbed sleep pattern which may lead to lethargy or insomnia, thus limiting one from carrying out one's daily activities in the hospital. Consequently, a reduced number of hours of sleep will stimulate the “fight or flight response” of the central nervous system and may contribute to risk factors for stress-related diseases (Uribe and Schub, 2018). Therefore, shift workers, including nurses, may be more likely to contract cardiovascular and gastroenterological diseases, depression and infertility, cancer and alterations in female reproductive function (Costa, 2010). Additionally, Uribe and Schub (2018) found that employees may also suffer from chronic fatigue, inattentiveness, inability to speak clearly, less productivity, job dissatisfaction, increased risks of errors, and professional burnout. Therefore, rapid returns among nurses can be avoided to optimize the quality of patient care around the clock. However, rotating shift work is inevitable in the healthcare industry. Costa (2010) suggests that both managers and employees should be aware of the likelihood of acquiring adverse health effects when practicing shift work. There are several policies both here in Australia and overseas that focus on minimizing if not eliminating stress related to SWD in line with the Ottawa Charter framework for health promotion, one of its objectives is to build a policy healthy public in the workplace. There is also a similar policy implemented in the United States by the Washington State Nurses Association, as mentioned by Ritcher et al. (2010) to combat fatigue and manage strategies for nurses changing schedules, firstly, educate hospital management and employees about its negative impacts and recognition by the organization of the potential health hazard of fatigue and ensure safety in the workplace. Secondly, form instruction and training on methods to relieve fatigue such as rest periods, and finally, establish policies relating to shift work disorders (Ritcher et al, 2010). While the Australian Nurses and Midwives Federation (ANMF, 2015) has specified that it is advisable for nurses, midwives and nursing assistants to undertake recreational activities, holidays, sport, rest and relaxation as shift work has a significant impact on mental, physical and psychosocial health. being. Furthermore, according to the ANMF company agreement (2016), “when overtime is worked, employees should have at least 10 consecutive hours of rest between the end of overtime and the next shift”. By doing so, nurses in Australia will benefit from policies implemented by the government sector in promoting work-life balance, getting enough hours of sleep between shifts and improve an individual's quality of life. Another risk factor that may contribute to a negative impact on a nurse's mental health is the prevalence of bullying in an organization thatthreatens professional relationships between leaders and staff members causing lack of trust and reduced enthusiasm towards work, so the quality of care will be significantly deteriorated. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2010) explains that a healthy workplace is a cooperation between staff members and leaders to demonstrate a development process aimed at safeguarding and preserving the well-being of the entire workforce and the maintainability of the 'organization. Unfortunately, bullying is common in today's increasingly complex and stressful hospital environment, as highlighted by the journal Australian Nursing and Midwifery (2018) which found that almost 50% of nurses working in hospitals have experienced bullying and some they are affected numerous times a week. Koh (2016) cited some examples of direct and indirect, subjective and objective responses, including body language, raising one's voice in response to colleagues, offensive comments, reacting to a situation in which it demoralizes the character of a colleague and the inability to help others, sabotage by withholding relevant information, accusations, spreading rumors, violation of confidentiality of nurse supervisors. An immediate action of an individual directly affected by bullying is to avoid provoking the aggressor by modifying their behavior and continually feeling stressed. The effects of bullying are harmful to an individual's psychological and physical appearance (Cortina & Magley, 2003). They found that symptoms of psychological distress include anxiety, irritability, panic attacks, depression, lack of confidence, low self-esteem and mood changes. While the physical symptoms reported by Gilmour & Hamlin, (2003); Graveson (1998); Normandale and Davies (2002); Quine (2001) are sleep disturbances, headaches, high blood pressure, weight loss, gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, and inhibited sexual desire. Although many nurses do not pursue a nursing career in their early years due to hostility in the workplace and after being bullied, there are still groups of nurses who wish to continue their current job (Vessay et al, 2009). They also found that many nurses reported “intentions to leave” but did not do so due to relevant reasons such as workplace location, family responsibilities, income and benefits package, fear of not Getting good references is the main concern, especially for seniors. nurses. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has developed a policy against workplace bullying, the sector provides information and protection to victims when abuse occurs. Currently in the United States of America, workers are protected by law against discrimination based on race, gender, color, age, and national origin, and the Healthy Workplace Bill (HWB) has been enacted across the country (Skehan, 2015). In addition to the strategies of eradicating horizontal violence in hospitals, it established that the educational program in the institution with the active involvement of senior managers is beneficial since, for example, managers face abusive reports from staff and therefore disciplinary actions will be applied to the attacker. demonstrates that the organization is committed to creating a safe workplace by not tolerating destructive behavior. However, being successful in the nursing profession with self-care behavior helps people improve resilience to be able to build a restorative environment in times of professional burnout. According to Hu et al. (2017) receiving help from family, friends, colleagues and partners is an essential source of support as several studies by Fu and Wang (2013) have highlighted; Rodwell and Munro(2013); Yom & Kim, 2012 which could significantly improve self-efficacy in nursing in relation to self-care ability. Furthermore, a recognized independent support system for nurses is readily available in the Nursing and Midwifery Health Program Victoria (2006) in providing confidential support regarding mental health issues and has been proven effective by 89% of clients who have experienced that support continues to work, return to and plan to return to the nursing field. In conclusion, nurses who remain in the medical field for a certain period of time are considered to be able to manage stress and have developed resilience in how well they adapt to an event in their life. Factors that can influence the physical and mental well-being of nurses are determined by socioeconomic needs, education, healthy workplace, salary, and work compensation. However, if any of these factors are altered to unacceptable conditions, it can lead to chronic diseases such as hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases, infertility, dysfunction of female reproductive organs, cancer, and stress-related mental illnesses. In order to prevent these problems, it is recommended to regulate workplace safety policies from government sectors to all hospitals and other organizations covering guidelines for the protection and promotion of employee well-being. The daily scope of nursing responsibilities is broad and has a significant impact on people's lives, therefore it is essential that nurses are mentally healthy and mentally capable to be able to perform.service in the healthcare sector. Aristotle spoke of 'eudomony' or 'well-being' as a “general objective of all human actions”. Many have attempted to define “wellbeing,” however, it is “intangible,” “hard to define,” and “hard to measure.” Many have tried, for example Herzlich (1973), Seligman (1998), Ryff and Singer (2008), but they have often led to the description rather than the definition of “Wellbeing”. Dodge et al., (2012) in their article, consider all previous theories on the concept of "Wellbeing" and draw on aspects of the studies of Cummins (2010) and Headey and Wearing (1989) relating to homeostasis and balance of well-being, and the resources and challenges mentioned in the research of Hendry and Kloep (2002), to propose a definition of well-being as “the point of balance between an individual's resources and the challenges faced”. “Wellbeing is present when a person realizes their potential, is resilient in dealing with the normal stresses of their life, takes care of their physical well-being, and has a sense of purpose, connection and belonging to a larger community. It is a fluid way of being and needs to be nurtured throughout life.” In essence, stable well-being occurs when individuals have the psychological, social, and physical resources they need to address a particular psychological, social, and/or physical challenge. Which is intrinsically linked to the concept of resilience “a dynamic process that is influenced by both neural and psychological self-organizations, as well as the transaction between the ecological context and the developing organism”. In the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures publication, a clear commitment by the Irish Government to improve the well-being of children and young people is outlined in five national outcomes, including one which states that children are active and healthy, with good physical and positive mental. Positive mental health and wellbeing enable young people to lead fulfilling lives. In Ireland, surveys on the well-being of young people show that most of them.