Nurses Supporting Nurses: A Model for Providing Mental Health Services During War

Abstract

Nurses routinely face psychological challenges as part of their work, acutely so during times of crises when nurses may treat many severely injured and dying patients. While the need for such support is well documented in the literature, mental health support programmes aimed at healthcare workers, even when available, are often underutilised, especially by nurses. To gain insights about needed mental health supports for nurses and programme implementation, this study examines a programme launched following a surprise attack on Israel on 7 October, 2023, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries and precipitating a war. The programme deployed 30 volunteer nurses trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma support and mental health first aid to offer up to three, anonymous, 30-min online therapy sessions to nurses around Israel in December 2023. Using a qualitative descriptive design, we engaged 22 of these volunteers in one of the three focus groups lasting 60–90 min each. Our findings highlight a range of mental health issues—among both the volunteers and therapy recipients—as well as barriers to providing mental health support to nurses. The importance of normalising the pursuit of mental health support in nursing education and ensuring the availability of support in healthcare organisations was emphasised.