A Creative Intervention for Supporting the Mental Wellness of Nurses

Abstract

Mental health challenges are prevalent among nurses who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, with dangerous and demoralizing working conditions, mental health stigma, and limited mental health support contributing to such challenges. A wide range of interventions have been developed to support nurses' mental wellness therapeutically, through organizational and broader advocacy, and by educating communities and publics about nurses' experiences. Nurses have produced various forms of artistic expressions, including comics or “graphic testimonials,” to document, process, and share their experiences. Yet such forms, as examples of “graphic medicine,” remain a relatively untapped and unique resource for supporting the mental health of nurses and advocating for and educating others about their lived experiences, needs, and vulnerabilities. As a unique medium, graphic testimonials have much to offer mental health interventions for nurses, especially through destigmatizing, integrated, and capacity building approaches that empower nurses to decide how best to use them.