IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AT WORKPLACE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG NURSES OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LAHORE

Abstract

Mental health in the workplace is a critical component of healthcare quality, workforce sustainability, and patient safety, particularly among nurses who form the backbone of healthcare systems. In the post-COVID-19 era, there has been a substantial rise in psychological distress among nurses, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These challenges are more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan, where healthcare systems are often overburdened and lack structured mental health support mechanisms. Workplace stressors including heavy workload, staff shortages, workplace violence, limited managerial support, and stigma contribute significantly to poor mental health outcomes among nurses. Despite growing awareness globally, the implementation of effective workplace mental health programs remains inadequate, particularly in tertiary care settings in Lahore.

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding the importance of mental health in the workplace among nurses in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. It further sought to identify key demographic, occupational, and organizational factors associated with nurses’ mental health and to explore barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of workplace mental health support programs.

METHODOLOGY
A descriptive cross-sectional study design was utilized. The study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, over a two-month period. A total of 151 registered nurses were selected using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic variables, mental health awareness items, and workplace-related factors measured on a Likert scale. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was ensured. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, applying descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and inferential tests, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

RESULTS
The findings indicated that the majority of participants were young (78.1% aged 21–28 years), female (84.8%), and had limited professional experience (76.8% with 1–5 years). Overall, 57.6% of nurses acknowledged the importance of mental health in maintaining well-being, while 49.7% recognized that mental health problems are common among healthcare professionals. Only 40.3% reported receiving adequate mental health training, highlighting a significant educational gap. A strong majority agreed that promoting mental health improves job satisfaction (66.0%) and patient care quality (61.0%). However, institutional support was limited, with only 36.4% reporting availability of counselling services and 50.3% indicating absence of regular stress management programs. Stigma remained a key concern, as 52.0% perceived its presence and only 38.4% felt comfortable discussing mental health issues. Additionally, 45.3% of respondents believed that hospital administration does not adequately address stress-related concerns.

CONCLUSION
The study concludes that although nurses demonstrate moderate awareness regarding the importance of mental health, significant gaps persist in training, institutional support, and stigma reduction within tertiary care settings in Lahore. Workplace mental health is influenced by multiple interrelated factors, including organizational policies, workload, and sociocultural perceptions. Addressing these challenges through structured training programs, policy integration, and stigma reduction strategies is essential to enhance nurses’ well-being, improve job performance, and ensure high-quality patient care. Strengthening workplace mental health should be considered a strategic priority for healthcare systems in Pakistan.