I can take better care of others because I take care of myself.
Anonymous
Having traveled extensively this year, by air, I can practically recite the flight attendants' safety drills verbatim. One in particular resonates with me as I write this editorial. It goes something like this: "If there should be a change in cabin pressure[horizontal ellipsis]be sure to put your oxygen mask on before helping others." This assertion has become a common metaphor for self-care. As nurses, we intuitively know the importance of self-care to one's mental health and well-being. We offer sage guidance and counsel to those we care for in our professional roles, we nurture our families and friends and reinforce their mental wellness, and we selflessly give to our communities. Yet, when it comes to caring for ourselves, we often fall short-and our mantra becomes one of "do as I say, not as I do." So let me get right to the point-"What do you do to safeguard your mental health?"
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes [their] own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to [their] community (World Health Organization, 2014, [P] 1).
The complexity of forensic nursing is replete with distinctive rewards and equally troublesome hazards. The articles featured in this issue discuss concerns germane to forensic nurses' mental health and well-being: moral distress, burnout, vicarious trauma, professional identity, professional development, and caring (often purported as the essence of nursing). Submissions represent the work of forensic nurses located in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States and capture the emotional impact of bearing witness to violence and trauma, the challenges of dealing with professional role stresses, the need for ongoing professional development, confronting personal and professional competing obligations, and issues regarding recruitment and retention, all while providing safe and competent evidence-informed care. Such challenges directly and indirectly impact the mental health and well-being of forensic nurses but, moreover, can have a significant impact on patient and client outcomes.
We likely all have our own personal definitions of mental health. So I will ask you once more, "What do you do to safeguard your mental health?" All too often we try to be all things to all people all the time and feel guilty if we take "me time." Let's get one thing straight: Self-care is not selfish care; it is about actively attending to your personal mental health and well-being, to effectively work with those in your care.
I realize that I have assumed, perhaps falsely, that you are not looking out for our mental health. For those of you who fervently pursue self-care strategies to safeguard and promote your personal mental health, I applaud you. However, some of us (myself included) may need a reminder. To that end, I have compiled a list of tried and true tips you might consider adopting; I don't imagine any of these are necessarily "new" insights. Collectively, these tips come from the wise contributions of my family, my friends, my learned colleagues, my students, my lived experience as a forensic nurse, and the literature.
First off, the basics: Make a commitment to keep physically active, eat well, use alcohol and other mind-altering substances sensibly, engage in relaxation activities (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, meditation), and practice sleep hygiene. Then, engage in relationships with others who feed your soul. Share a meal, and go to a movie. Keep in touch with those at a distance. Don't be afraid to talk about your feelings, and recognize when you need personal and professional help. By all means, reach out to your colleagues who may be struggling. Be sure to have a rich and full life outside work; seek out activities unrelated to your role as a forensic nurse. Do something you are good at, but don't be afraid to take a chance and leap out of your comfort zone. Join a book club, plant a garden, take up painting, or adopt a pet; seek out activities that bring you joy. Finally, think about ways that mental health can be enhanced and promoted in your workplace. Why not implement a mental health pilot project, and write a case report on your successes, and submit it to the Journal of Forensic Nursing? Write your own list of mental health tips, share it with your colleagues, post it where everyone can easily see it, and be sure to actualize your strategies in your day-to-day practice (i.e., "practice what your preach"). See additional practical resources in Table 1.
Safeguarding your mental health is a lifelong obligation, one that you owe to yourself and to your patients and clients. Start today-try one new strategy and make your mental health a priority, after all "there is no health, without mental health" (World Health Organization, 2005).
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