Mental Health Month 2022 Week 2

Stephanie Weatherly, DNP, PMH RN-BC, FACHE

Chief Clinical Officer

May 9, 2022

The second week of Mental Health Month is also National Prevention Week for Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The mental and emotional well-being of healthcare professionals has been in the spotlight since the pandemic arose, but mental health and addiction issues amongst our professions are longstanding. It is important to be aware of the challenges that healthcare workers face while we highlight reducing stigma in mental health treatment. It could be ourselves or our coworkers needing mental health support. Healthcare workers' fears of retaliation, worry about job stability, or fear of losing licensure can prevent them from seeking help. Here are some sobering statistics that highlight the need to not only have these conversations amongst ourselves but also to advocate for supportive services for healthcare professionals.

Statistics & Facts on Substance Use and Mental Health Concerns in Social Workers (from the National Library of Medicine)

• A 2015 survey of 6,112 licensed social workers in 13 states was conducted regarding their problems with mental health; alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and gambling.
• Results indicate that 40.2 percent of respondents reported mental health problems before becoming social workers, increasing to 51.8 percent during their social work career, with 28 percent currently experiencing such problems.
• Nearly 10 percent of the sample experienced substance use problems before becoming social workers, decreasing to 7.7 percent during their career.

Statistics on Mental Health Concerns in Nurses (from the Robert Wood Foundation Interdisciplinary Nursing Quality Research Initiative)

• Nurses experience clinical depression at twice the rate of the general public.
• Depression affects 9% of everyday citizens, but 18% of nurses experience symptoms of depression.
• In a study of 332 nurses, 22% had symptoms of PTSD (with 18% meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD), and 86% met the criteria for Burn Out Syndrome. 98% of the nurses with PTSD also had Burn Out Syndrome.

Statistics & Facts on Substance Use in Nurses (from the Iowa Board of Nursing)

• The rate of nurses' substance use is comparative with the general population estimates of substance use, between 6% and 8%.
• 18 % of nurses showed signs of substance use, while one-third (6.6% of the entire population) qualified for a substance use disorder.
• Substance use may still be stigmatized in the field of nursing. Many nurses who recover from substance use issues tend to feel stressed about re-entering the healthcare field because of the restrictions placed on them upon reentry (more restrictive schedules, drug testing, monitoring, and required attendance at support meetings, like AA).
• Many nurses report using substances to cope with stressors or watching peers cope with stress by using substances.
• Illicit and prescription drug use are most common in home health and hospice nurses and nurses in nursing homes.

Statistics & Facts on Substance Use in Physicians (from the National Library of Medicine)

• Out of 7,288 physicians studied, 12.9% of male physicians and 21.4% of female physicians met diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence.
• Abuse of prescription drugs and illicit drugs was rare amongst physicians.
• Alcohol abuse or dependence is a significant problem among American physicians.

As you can see, we have work to do with ourselves and with the patients who seek us out for support. Here are some resources for some events that are upcoming that can support us both personally and professionally:

• Caring for Your Mental Health by the National Institute of Mental Health
• HHS's New Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefit Resources Will Help People Seeking Care to Better Understand Their Rights
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are teaming up to present a series of FREE webinars this May to celebrate National Mental Health Awareness Month! The webinars will take place each Wednesday in May from 1:00–2:00 pm (ET). They will feature leading mental health and housing professionals from SAMHSA and HUD and practitioners from their respective communities. This collaboration will focus on mental health issues our nation faces in the post-pandemic world, plus issues specific to HUD's communities.
• Webinar 2: 988 is Not a Joke – National Suicide Prevention Hotline Launch – May 11, 2022 – SAMHSA and HUD will introduce SAMHSA's new Suicide Prevention Hotline (988). The webinar will also address suicide prevention for youth and the BIPOC community and touch on substance use. Access Code: 8477433#
• Webinar 3: Get Help – Reducing Stigma Associated with Mental Health – May 18, 2022 – SAMHSA and HUD will focus on reducing the stigma associated with mental health to encourage those with potential mental health issues to seek professional help. This webinar will also concentrate on the BIPOC community, addressing stigma specific to these populations. Access Code: 5955873#
• Webinar 4: Now What? – Mental Health Issues in Post-COVID America – May 25, 2022 – SAMHSA and HUD will examine how to address mental health issues in post-COVID America. Besides the physical toll the pandemic took on Americans, it has also greatly affected our nation's mental health. This webinar will discuss handling and moving past multiple co-occurring pandemics, using a mental health focus on substance use disorder, housing, work, education, and transportation, among other relevant topics. Access Code: 6268721#

Thank you for taking your self-care as seriously as you take the care of others. You are worth it!