American Academy of Nursing Expert Panel Consensus Statement on leveraging equity in policy to improve recognition and treatment of mental health, substance use disorders, and nurse suicide

Schimmels, JoEllen; Groh, Carla J.; Neft, Michael; Wocial, Lucia D.; Young, Cara Aldridge; Davidson, Judy E.

doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2023.101970

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Enculturating psychological safety through routine debriefings to proactively process emotions can reduce stigma and other risk factors such as loneliness and isolation confounded by grief, self-blame, feelings of organizational abandonment, and anger. 48 Stigma against health-seeking behaviors may also be reduced by eliminating mental health-related questions that violate the Americans with Disabilities Act from credentialling and recredentialling processes (Table, Dr. Lorna Breen Toolkit). 51,71 Processes should also be implemented to improve psychological safety and reduce the likelihood of moral distress.…”

Section: Prevention To Postvention: Strategies To Reduce Occupational...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fostering Psychological Safety and Supporting Mental Health Among Cardiovascular Health Care Workers: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Mehta,

Churchwell,

Coleman

et al. 2024

Circulation

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The psychological safety of health care workers is an important but often overlooked aspect of the rising rates of burnout and workforce shortages. In addition, mental health conditions are prevalent among health care workers, but the associated stigma is a significant barrier to accessing adequate care. More efforts are therefore needed to foster health care work environments that are safe and supportive of self-care. The purpose of this brief document is to promote a culture of psychological safety in health care organizations. We review ways in which organizations can create a psychologically safe workplace, the benefits of a psychologically safe workplace, and strategies to promote mental health and reduce suicide risk.

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Section: Prevention To Postvention: Strategies To Reduce Occupational...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fostering Psychological Safety and Supporting Mental Health Among Cardiovascular Health Care Workers: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Mehta,

Churchwell,

Coleman

et al. 2024

Circulation

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“…When applying for registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure, applicants may be subjected to invasive questions regarding their mental health or substance use history (Halter et al, 2019;Schimmels et al, 2023). In the context of licensure questions, "invasive" is defined as inquiring about specific mental health treatments and diagnoses in an overly detailed and potentially stigmatizing manner (e.g., requiring proof of substance use rehabilitation or a physician letter addressing mental health and ability to practice when answering yes to having a mental health condition).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the use of these questions can foster stigmatization, discouragement, and anxiety, leading applicants to fear rejection or withhold information about the status of their mental health (Halter et al, 2019). Such questions are not only a driver of suicide, but also may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA; Halter et al, 2019;Schimmels et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An audit of mental health questions on U.S. nursing licensure applications: Evidence to guide urgent action for change

Melnyk,

Holod,

Hsieh

et al. 2023

Worldviews Ev Based Nurs

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BackgroundNurses often forgo needed mental healthcare due to stigma and fear of losing their license. The decision to access care or disclose mental health struggles is intensified when registered nurses (RNs) or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) discover that licensure applications ask invasive mental health questions that could impact their ability to work.AimsThis study highlights findings from an audit of mental health and substance use questions included in RN and APRN licensure applications across the United States.MethodsA sequential 4‐step approach was used to retrieve RN and APRN licensure applications: (1) review of Board of Nursing (BON) websites, (2) communication with BON staff, (3) communication with Deans of Nursing to ask for retrieval assistance, and (4) creation of mock applicants. An embedded checklist within the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation's Remove Intrusive Mental Health Questions from Licensure and Credentialing Applications Toolkit guided the audit. Two study team members reviewed the applications independently for intrusive mental health questions, which were designated as non‐compliant with the Toolkit's recommendations and arbitrated for consensus. States were designated as non‐compliant if ≥1 item on the checklist was violated.ResultsAt least one RN and APRN application was obtained from 42 states. Only RN applications were obtained from five states, while only APRN applications were obtained from three states. Only 13 states (26%) fully adhered to the Took‐Kit checklist.Linking Evidence to ActionThe majority of BONs did not fully adhere to the Took‐Kit checklist. Guidance from national organizations and legislation from state governments concerning the removal or revision of probing mental health and substance use questions is urgently needed to cultivate a stigma‐reducing environment where nurses are supported in seeking needed mental health treatment.

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“…Schimmels, Groh, Neft, Wocial, Young, and Davidson in the American Academy of Nursing's “Consensus Statement on Improving Recognition and Treatment of Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders and Nurse Suicide.” Substance use disorder is a treatable illness. Consequently, current policies that increase stigma and shame add an additional burden for nurses to admit there is a problem [Schimmels et al (2023), Strobbe & Crowley (2017)]. As advocates, we can change policies that publicly shame nurses who have substance use disorders.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Substance use disorder is a treatable illness. Consequently, current policies that increase stigma and shame add an additional burden for nurses to admit there is a problem [Schimmels et al (2023), Strobbe & Crowley (2017)]. As advocates, we can change policies that publicly shame nurses who have substance use disorders.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

INTNSA USA to Support American Academy of Nursing’s Policy to Improve Recognition and Treatment of Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Nurse Suicide

Fogger

2024

UJAN

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American Academy of Nursing Expert Panel Consensus Statement on leveraging equity in policy to improve recognition and treatment of mental health, substance use disorders, and nurse suicide

Cited by 7 publications

References 58 publications

Fostering Psychological Safety and Supporting Mental Health Among Cardiovascular Health Care Workers: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Fostering Psychological Safety and Supporting Mental Health Among Cardiovascular Health Care Workers: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

An audit of mental health questions on U.S. nursing licensure applications: Evidence to guide urgent action for change

INTNSA USA to Support American Academy of Nursing’s Policy to Improve Recognition and Treatment of Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Nurse Suicide

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