Leveraging a Global Partnership to Address COVID-19-Related Mental Health Challenges.

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected nurses globally. As frontline workers, nurses faced increased responsibilities amid challenges such as isolation, infection risks, family obligations and disrupted social support systems. Coping with these challenges was associated with adverse mental health outcomes.

Aim/question: This perspective paper examines a collaboration between two schools of nursing in the United States and India to address these mental health challenges.

Methods: Faculty from both institutions identified key mental health topics, leading to five webinars that delved into topics such as acute and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on nurse mental health, coping mechanisms, caregiving responsibilities and children's needs during the pandemic.

Results: Impressively, over 11,000 nurses from 60 countries engaged, fostering a global platform for sharing evidence-based knowledge, experiences and strategies.

Implications for practice: This partnership exemplifies the value of international collaboration. By pooling resources and expertise across cultural contexts, the initiative not only disseminated crucial knowledge but also cultivated a sense of global community among nurses. The success of this collaboration underscores the potential of such global partnerships for healthcare institutions worldwide, offering avenues to share best practices and enhance support systems for nurses confronting similar crises globally.