Nursing and mental health: a reflection in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic

Maria de Lourdes Custódio  Duarte; Daniela Giotti da  Silva; Mariana Mattia Correa  Bagatini

doi:10.1590/1983-1447.2021.20200140

##article.authors##

Maria de Lourdes Custódio Duarte Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Daniela Giotti da Silva Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6462-4486
Mariana Mattia Correa Bagatini Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2021.20200140

Keywords:

Nursing, Mental health, Coronavirus infections, Pandemics, Adaptation, psychological

Abstract

Objective: To reflect on the mental health of Nursing professionals in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
Method: This is a theoretical-reflective study based on the discursive formulation on the theme
and supported by the national and international scientific literature and by the authors' critical
analysis.
Results: The analyzed studies, along with the care practice, showed that Nursing professionals
are susceptible to the exacerbation of symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, anguish,
and stress in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, in view of their exhaustive work shifts,
patients' deaths, risk of infecting themselves and their families, and social isolation.
Final considerations: The mental health of Nursing professionals needs to be listed as one of
the priorities for health managers, guaranteeing strategies and public policies that ensure sanity
for those who are in the front line of the fight against the pandemic.