Supporting mental wellbeing in pre-registration nursing students.

Abstract

Mental health problems are not uncommon, estimated to be experienced by 1 in 4 of the UK population (Parliament.uk 2018). Whilst these range from mild to severe, it is concerning that there are 4500 suicides in England each year; this is the leading cause of death in young people (DHSC 2019). Indicating the current priority of this issue, the first cross-government suicide plan was launched in January (HM Gov. 2019). Mental health and wellbeing are of particular interest to those participating in and involved with pre-registration nurse education because of increasing levels of mental ill-health in student populations generally (Universities UK 2015, 2018) and in health care students in particular. NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Commission is a new and comprehensive report from Health Education England (HEE 2019); it considers influencing factors and makes recommendations to better support undergraduate healthcare students. Focusing on pre-registration nurse students, what lessons can be learned?