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“ We need to look after ourselves and recognise when our own mental health is being affected
New postgraduate courses at Edith Cowan University are aimed to help bolster the mental health nursing workforce .
Gaining confidence
Subsidised flexible postgraduate courses for mental health nurses
By Arshmah Jamal
Almost half of all Australians have experienced an episode of poor mental health in their life .
However , a dramatic shortage of mental health nurses puts a heavy burden on individuals and nurses .
To address the ongoing problem , Edith Cowan University ( ECU ) is looking to upskill nurses through new postgraduate courses .
Director of postgraduate studies in nursing and midwifery Dr Yvonne Middlewick said the courses aimed to help nurses navigate the skills and experience needed to negotiate the often-complex mental-health challenges faced in their workplace .
“ We ’ re offering courses that specifically help in addressing the specialities of mental health , such as perinatal mental health or forensic mental health ,” Dr Middlewick said .
“ Our courses are flexible and online , making it more accessible , which is key if you are a working practitioner .”
“ Nurses have said the costs make it difficult to access education , so ECU got additional funding to help reduce these costs .”
Almost 44 per cent of Australians aged 16-85 have experienced a mental health disorder at some point .
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 22 per cent had experienced a mental health condition in the past 12 months .
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare , there were 7.2 million visits to mental healthcare facilities between June 2018 and September 2020 .
Despite an apparent need for mental health nurses , an estimated 20 per cent of posts in mental health nursing remain unfilled .
Dr Middlewick said it was important to address the issue , especially with the recent estimate by the Department of Health that the mental health nursing workforce will be 60 per cent short by 2030 .
“ If we have more mental health nurses , then we ’ re able to provide more responsive services and early intervention – and we know that early access is key to help support people so their mental health doesn ’ t further deteriorate ,” she said .
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses ( ACMHN ) recently awarded ECU full accreditation for its graduate diploma – only four other Australian universities have achieved this .
“ We are the only university in Western Australia [ that received it ], which we ’ re very excited and proud about ,” Dr Middlewick told Nursing Review .
“ ACMHN applauded us in having a large group of experienced mental health nurses , and we ’ re able to deliver the specialist courses to meet our students ’ needs .”
It is widely known that nurses are experiencing burnout and leaving the profession .
The Department of Health and Aged Care revealed that since 2016 , there has been a 60 per cent increase in nurses who have taken an extended leave of absence .
Research by the Australian Primary Healthcare Nurses Association also found that 30 per cent were planning to leave their jobs within the next five years .
Dr Middlewick said ECU ensured the courses included and emphasised personal well-being alongside the well-being of others .
“ To help support people with mental health problems , we need to look after ourselves and recognise when our own mental health and well-being is being affected .”
Despite only starting this year , the course has gained positive traction , with some students furthering their studies to a PhD .
“ What we are finding is that people who do the extra education and gain that additional level of skill and confidence are more confident in applying for promotional posts earlier ,” Dr Middlewick said .
“ I think that ’ s what you see in people who have gained confidence in their abilities .”
“ They ’ re also able to look at the bigger picture of what ’ s going on for mental health nursing and develop services and work to co-design services with consumers and their families .” ■
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