Mental health is a vital component of a person's sense of health and wellbeing. Supporting and caring for people experiencing a mental disorder and or symptoms of mental health concerns include a team of health professionals. Part of this team include mental health nurses who aim to deliver 'good' mental health nursing care from a professional, respectful, evidenced based and person/client-centred, goal directed approach. This type of approach is important to support the person's growth, development and recovery (Lakeman, 2012).

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2022, p. 1) has highlighted that "1 in 5 people aged 16-85 (42.9%) had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life." An age group of concern are young people aged "16-24 (38.8%) showing they had a 12-month disorder". These statistics indicate an increase in demand for mental health care. In light of the current nursing shortage, this increase in demand for mental health care means more mental health nurses are urgently needed in this sector to provide this vital care for people, and to support them towards achieving their personal sense of health and wellbeing.

The innovation inherent in this project is to addresses the mental health nursing workforce shortage by tapping into the underutilised workforce resource, student nurses as paid employees, by supporting their preparation and mentorship with targeted mental health knowledge and skills and support. This type of design is to increase student nurses' immersive, authentic experience, and help them to contribute meaningfully, competently and confidently as part of the mental health team. Furthermore, to support their career pathway into mental health as a registered nurse and grow the pipeline of mental health nurses.

Interested HDR students to contact Dr Natasha Reedy at natasha.reedy@unisq.edu.au


References
ABS. (2022). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing (2020-2022).
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release

Lakeman, R. (2012). What is good mental health nursing? A survey of Irish nurses. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 26(3). www.psychiatricnursing.org

Assoc Prof Daniel Terry

• School of Nursing and Midwifery

• Nursing

• Doctor of Philosophy (DPHD)
• Master of Research (MRES)