THE MENTAL HEALTH OF NURSING PROFESSIONALS IN THE INTRA-HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The mental health of nursing professionals in hospital environments is a topic of increasing relevance due to adverse working conditions, emotional overload and constant pressure. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the mental illness of nurses and the strategies proposed to mitigate these impacts. A systematic integrative review of the literature was carried out in databases such as PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Google Scholar, covering publications between 2010 and 2024. The descriptors used included "mental health", "hospital nursing", "burnout syndrome" and "mental disorders". The inclusion criteria selected studies in Portuguese and English that specifically addressed the topic of mental health of nurses in hospitals. The results point to the high prevalence of disorders such as anxiety, depression and Burnout syndrome, especially nurses who work in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and emergency sectors, due to the emotional and physical load. Lack of organizational support and work overload were identified as the main risk factors for mental illness. Psychological support policies, stress management programs and improvements in working conditions are some of the proposed interventions. It is concluded that, despite the existing initiatives, the policies aimed at the mental health of nurses are still insufficient, and it is necessary to expand preventive actions and continuous support for these professionals, promoting healthier and safer work environments.