Top 10 Mental Health Resources Nurses Should Know About

Truth: We are all ready to put the world-wide pandemic behind us. 

Although it's tough to stomach another article talking about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot neglect the impact it has had on the healthcare industry, putting nurses and other healthcare workers at increased risk for mental-health struggles — yes, even now.

As nurse suicide rates were already higher than those of the general public before the pandemic, it’s important now more than ever to carefully tend to those who are helping to heal the world. In this article, all of us at Nursa would like to share an easy access list of mental-health resources for nurses who might be struggling with mental health issues or for those who are concerned about loved ones fighting on the front lines during this transitional time.

Remember, caring for others requires you to also take care of yourself. You are not alone, and we hope this list helps you or someone you love to get the needed resources to heal and thrive, not just survive.

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10 Mental Health Resources for Nurses

As the world has required more digital resources, mental health services have expanded to offer more types of counseling and therapy services for nurses than ever before. There are several free, confidential virtual support options available for nurses, and this list offers a variety of options to help you find the best fit:

Headspace App

Need a little more daily zen?

Consider downloading the science-backed meditation app:Headspace. Headspace is an on-the-go app that is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. Through science-backed meditation and mindfulness tools, Headspace helps to create life-changing habits to support mental health so nurses can better manage their day-to-day stress.

Therapy Aid

The Therapy Aid Coalition is a volunteer-based collective of experienced, licensed private-practice therapists committed to providing free or low-cost online therapy to essential workers across the United States.

Using the “Find a Therapist'' portal, nurses can sort through different therapists based on location, budget and timeline. All therapists who have volunteered to be part of this network are offering four 45-minute sessions ranging from $0 to a maximum of $50 per session.

Cerebral 

Nurses are known to work long shifts, which means that it is much harder to get away to attend an in-person therapy session during the day. With that said, Cerebral is a digital "go-to" resource as it’s a fully remote telehealth company that understands the need for flexibility with healthcare workers.

Cerebral offers on-demand mental health and wellness support that is immediate, high-quality, and individually tailored. The company provides behavioral health coaching, talk therapy, medication management, and personalized resource content, all digitized for your convenience. 

The Battle Within

Trauma sometimes has deeper roots and requires more drastic experiences to help us move out of the negative headspace. For those looking for a more transformative experience, the Battle Within Service is a unique mental health resource founded by over 100 veterans, first responders, and community leaders who have firsthand experience with trauma and high-stress experiences. 

Together, they created a transformative (and free) 5-day program built by warriors using holistic techniques steeped in ancient warrior culture and backed by modern mental health practices. If that sounds like too much, they also provide private therapists who are available to work with individuals in crisis, or those who are experiencing grief, anxiety, stress, or trauma.

PeerRxMed Program

Mental illness often has people trapped within their own heads. If others can see that you are struggling and can relate, it can help you feel less alone. That is why the PeerRXMed program is impactful in helping connect nurses with peers ready to stand with them in their shared experience.

PeerRxMed is a free peer-to-peer program for nurses that pairs them with a “buddy”, and it is built around a program that has consistent check-ins for accountability and human connection. 

COVID Mental Health Support Group
Location is sometimes a pain point for those looking for immediate mental health relief,

but the Covid Mental Health Support Group is all about helping individuals find groups and resources local to them.

Provided by the Pandemic Crisis Services and Response Coalition — a group of activists, mental health organizations, and crisis providers — this group aims to empower individuals and the general public to take mental health into their own hands by making information readily available.

Together, they offer an up-to-date website of on-demand mental health professionals and resources, searchable by location. 

CBT Thought Record Diary

Journaling has proven to be a great strategy for working through mental health obstacles and that is why the CBT Thought Record Diary is a great option for nurses who want a personalized and intimate approach to their mental health solutions. 

With this free mood journal app, nurses track their thoughts through cognitive behavior therapy exercises, such as tracking negative and distorted thinking patterns, identifying negative thinking, and reevaluating thoughts that can eventually cause anxiety. 

Talkspace Online Therapy

For those who are experiencing social anxiety or who do not want to talk in person with a mental health professional, the Talkspace Online Therapy service is a great option for those who want to connect to resources via text. Through this texting program, nurses can connect with trained therapists as often as they need and receive daily responses as well as mental health resources. Prices range from $65- $99/week.

Breathe2Relax 

Created by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, the Breathe2Relax app is an app that taps into the power of breathing and meditation.

After learning techniques of stress management through diaphragmatic breathing, nurses will learn how to lower the “fight or flight” response, which is something they face daily while managing high-stress life or death situations. 

Crisis Text Line

Last but not least, we wanted to share one of the biggest national resources for mental health: the National Crisis Text Line. This text line is available 24/7, so nurses can simply text HOME to 741741 and reach a Crisis Counselor immediately through text message at any time of the day or night.

Mental Health Support at Your Fingertips

As you can see, these apps and services were designed to make it easier to address mental health issues that may arise while working in the fast-paced and high-stress environments of the healthcare industry. Another important factor to consider is substance abuse disorders and the high rates among nurses. If this is something that affects you, you can seek help online as a first step, at a leading resource for recovery, such as Start Your Recovery.

So, whether you are hoping to find a local therapist, receive immediate help, or get into the habit of monitoring your daily habits, there are resources out there perfect to help you in the way you need it most. At Nursa, we hope to continue to provide resources that improve the mental health and overall daily lives of nurses across the country. Take a look at our resource library for more mental health articles. Hang in there, friends.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is general and lists resources available but does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified health care provider for any questions you may have regarding thoughts of suicide or other mental health concerns. If you believe you or someone you know is at imminent risk of harming him or herself and is refusing help, call 911. If you have thoughts about suicide or you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).