Mental health of nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: support resources

Abstract

Objective

to reflect upon the coronavirus pandemic’s implications on nursing professionals’ mental health and the main support resources in development.

Method

reflection paper, based on a discussion about the mental health of nursing professionals in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, correlated with the current psychological support recommendations provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation.

Results and discussion

a mental health crisis may be affecting nursing professionals in response to the pandemic. As these workers provide direct care to individuals infected by the novel coronavirus, in addition to the already stressful situations faced within healthcare services, they also experience concerns, fear, uncertainty about their health and that of the population. Hence, a reflection upon the pandemic’s main implications for nursing professionals is presented here along with the main resources in development to support these workers, emphasizing the need to identify and adequately manage stressful situations.

Conclusions and implications for practice

this study presents various resources to support nursing professionals coping with the coronavirus pandemic’s mental health implications.

Keywords:
Pandemics; Coronavirus; Mental Health; Health Systems; Nursing