Silent Strength: The Social Support of Mental Health Nurses

Abstract

Mental health nurses (MHNs) face unique occupational challenges, including high emotional demands, frequent exposure to workplace violence, and risk of burnout. Social support is widely recognised as a protective factor that can enhance well-being and job satisfaction in this high-stress profession. In this research, social support is defined as the emotional, informational, and instrumental assistance that MHNs receive from interpersonal relationships in the workplace, such as from colleagues, immediate supervisors, and informal peer networks. HR support or organisational support, by contrast, refers to formal structures and resources provided by the organisation itself. Despite this, little is known about MHNs' perceptions of the availability, accessibility, and value of social support within their workplace settings. This qualitative study explored the perceived levels and effects of social support among MHNs using semi-structured interviews. Six MHNs were recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted online, transcribed, and analysed thematically to identify common patterns and variations in participants' experiences. Thematic analysis identified five key themes: agency in seeking support, forming alliances, the informal nature of support, its varying availability, and the necessity of support to sustain a career in MHN. Peer support was described as essential, informal, and self-initiated, while formal organisational support was often viewed as lacking. Digital platforms emerged as supplementary sources. The findings underscore social support's crucial role in MHNs resilience and well-being, and highlight the need for healthcare organisations to strengthen both informal and formal support structures to improve job satisfaction, reduce burnout, and promote retention.