Caring for Those Who Care

A Theoretical Reflection on the Promotion of urses’ Mental Health

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses’ mental health has gained prominence due to work overload, emotional pressure and organizational conditions that intensify psychological distress, reinforcing the need to reflect on strategies for caring for the caregiver. Objective: To theoretically reflect on the determinants of psychological distress and the strategies for promoting nurses’ mental health, based on contemporary evidence. Methods: Theoretical-reflective essay developed from academic debates, professional experiences and interpretative analysis of recent studies on nurses’ mental health, moral distress, burnout, compassion fatigue and institutional interventions, using a previously selected set of scientific sources as reference. Results: Psychological distress arises from multiple factors, including work overload, insufficient resources, ethical conflicts, continuous exposure to human suffering and organizational fragilities, resulting in anxiety, stress, emotional exhaustion and impaired quality of care. Strategies that promote well-being were identified, including institutional policies, psychosocial support, development of emotional competencies and self-care practices. Conclusions: Promoting nurses’ mental health is an ethical, human and organizational imperative that requires integrated actions involving management, education and emotional support, strengthening professional well-being and contributing to safer and more humanized care practices.