Role and needs of nurses in managing the mental health effects of COVID-19

Why you should read this article:• To acknowledge the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of service users and staff• To recognise signs and symptoms of mental health issues that may be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic• To locate external sources of mental health support in voluntary and professional organisationsIn December 2019, a new infectious respiratory disease was reported in China, which was subsequently identified as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and prompted a pandemic. At the time of writing an estimated 175 million people had contracted the disease resulting in over 3.8 million deaths worldwide.The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant adverse effects on the mental health of service users and healthcare professionals. Mental health professionals have had the responsibility of supporting others while potentially experiencing adverse effects of the pandemic on their own mental health. This article describes the pandemic’s effects on mental health and explores the role and needs of nurses in supporting the mental health of others.