THE image of the nursing profession has taken a massive change within a few years. Whether it is private or government setting, nurses have held a variety of enormous professional assignments and supreme positions. However, there is a need to highlight the increasing need for having nurses in educational settings.

Apart from the routine services associated with the nursing profession, one key factor in an educational setting is that of detecting a health problem early and making the right referrals. And, mind you, health includes psychological and mental health.

This element is of prime significance in the students where they are struggling with stresses, like peer pressure, examinations and grades, and seeking admissions to well-known universities. These changes can bring multiple transformations in student behaviour.

The role of a nurse in providing the psychological support and uplifting the mental wellbeing of the students is of immense significance in the early stages when multiple mental disorders, including anxiety, stress and depression can be identified and referrals can be made accordingly. This will not only enhance the mental health of the students, but it would also depict a strong image of the school health nurses in the field of mental health.

Management of the educational settings can play a fundamental role in upgrading the image of the nurses in schools and colleges. Nurses can be provided slots with the students where sessions related to mental health awareness by the student health nurse can be taken.

According to the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), sessions with the students give the nurses an occasion to observe them in a normal setting rather than in a state of emergency. Moreover, students should be given an opportunity to consult the nurse whenever they feel any stress.

Community-based teaching sessions involving the parents and teachers in enriching the mental health of the students can also be generated. Moreover, the involvement of multidisciplinary teams, including psychologist and therapist, can be done to identify mental health issues. In addition, diverse cognitive, interpersonal, intrapersonal and intellectual activities can be incorporated for the students to strengthen their mental health.

According to the Journal of School Nursing, one of the essential responsibilities of the school health nurse is population health. Consequently, health promotion and illness prevention is also within the scope of responsibilities of the school health nurse.

Salima Akbar Ali
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2022