In Nepal, nurses working in mental health care services face huge challenges on a daily basis – from violence and aggression from patients, to bullying from colleagues, low staffing levels, and poor skill mix. Mental health nursing is an uncommon clinical speciality in the country, and for those working in such services, opportunities to receive emotional support are rare. This is one of the many reasons why Jaya Mental Health is currently offering such support to nurses working at Nepal’s largest state-run mental health hospital.

Recently, we met with 14 of these nurses to explore strategies and techniques on how to set boundaries in the workplace, take care of our inner child, reflect and connect with our personal values, to know when to let go, and identify small things that can bring us joy when all feels dark and unhopeful.