Improvements in the North West province’s support systems for psychiatric nurses would directly impact the quality of care for children with mental health issues.

This is one of the findings of a recent study led by Dr Rorisang Machailo, an academic at the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU). She focused on developing strategies to address the gaps in resources, training and support for psychiatric nurses caring for children with mental health issues in the province.

“Psychiatric nurses play a critical role in providing mental health services to children,” says Dr Machailo. “Our study emphasises the importance of supporting these nurses, as they are essential in ensuring comprehensive and child-centred mental health care.”

The research, conducted in two phases, explored the current state of psychiatric nursing practices and developed strategies to empower nurses in this field.

The first phase involved a systematic review of existing practices and an appreciative inquiry to identify strengths and areas for improvement in mental health nursing of children. The second phase focused on developing a conceptual framework and actionable strategies to address the needs of psychiatric nurses caring for children.

“Our findings revealed significant gaps in resources, both material and human,” she explains. “There is a need for curriculum reform, equitable working conditions and culturally competent practices to improve the care provided to children.”

The study emphasises the importance of developing targeted support programmes, providing technical assistance and creating training opportunities for psychiatric nurses.

“Empowering nurses through education and resources will not only help them manage their workloads better, but also ensure they can meet the unique mental health needs of children,” Dr Machailo says.

The study advocates a cohesive approach to empowering psychiatric nurses by boosting their knowledge base and improving the working conditions in child psychiatric nursing.

“These strategies will benefit both the nurses and the children they care for, leading to better mental health outcomes in the North West province.”

Dr Rorisang Machailo