Is There a Shortage of Compassion in Mental Health Nursing?

• Compassion in mental health nursing is a key element of the specialty, but some argue that increasing demands and workforce shortages could put that at risk. 
• A new editorial in the International Journal of Mental Health explores the decrease of compassion in the specialty, while offering suggestions for improvement. 
• Past research supports the editorial, revealing that some mental health nurses feel burdened by the inability, in some cases, to provide more compassionate care. 

Compassion in mental health nursing is a key element of the specialty, but some argue that increasing demands and workforce shortages could put that at risk. 

“High patient acuity, staff shortages, and the emotional labour that comes with supporting individuals in psychological distress can undermine nurses’ ability to stay present and empathetic,” the authors of a new editorial in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing argued. 

The authors contend that strategies to “safeguard emotional well-being” should be a priority for leaders, organizations and institutions.  

Lack of Compassion in Mental Health Nursing

Previous research from recent years has bolstered the view of the IJMHN editorial. Take this 2023 study out of the United Kingdom. It notes that undercover investigations “exposed instances of serious abuse” in mental health facilities, including verbal humiliation, unnecessary seclusion and excessive restraint. The authors call out “rising demand, resource shortages, and weak organizational support” for a lower prevalence of compassion among practitioners. 

At the same time, they recognize the lack of research on improving compassion in mental healthcare and believe more leadership support could help.

“Assistant staff, who spend the most time with service users, need training in how to de-escalate conflict and how severe mental health difficulties may manifest themselves,” the authors stated. “This will help to contextualise behaviours, which is crucial for compassionate responses.”

However, policy/legal impediments and lack of organizational support can hinder the implementation of measures that ensure compassion in mental health nursing. 

Nurses interviewed for a 2022 IJMHN detailed ethical constraints and “administrative burden” as barriers to compassion.

“Mental health nurses identified compassion as fundamental to their clinical practice, yet compassion was impeded owing to practical and emotional constraints upon nurses,” the authors stated. “System-wide action must be taken to increase and support the mental health nursing workforce to strengthen the practice of compassion.” 

Safeguarding Emotional Wellbeing 

Compassion, according to the 2025 IJMHN research, requires “intentional action” and an understanding of the patient’s emotional state. 

“For mental health nurses, being ‘with’ the person in their care, engaging deeply with patients and truly understanding their emotional and psychological states, is central to compassionate practice,” the authors stated. “However, in healthcare systems where compassionate care is often undervalued, mental health environments are facing a crisis of compassion, where increasing workloads, systemic pressures, and emotional exhaustion are eroding the capacity for nurses to provide compassionate care.” 

Health leaders, according to the authors, need to recognize “the importance of fostering compassion in care,” notably from a proactive standpoint. 

“Ensuring that compassion remains central to mental health nursing is not merely about enhancing patient care; it is about safeguarding the well-being of healthcare professionals and strengthening the overall healthcare environment,” the authors stated. 

The editorial authors believe the following three strategies can help maintain compassion in mental health nursing: 

• Reflective practice, 
• Regular clinical supervision, and  
• Organisational policies designed to reduce staff burdens. 

But caring for patients must also be balanced with caring for oneself, as one mental health practitioner argues. 

“Empathy is at the heart of my practice as a mental health nurse. I often think about how I would feel if I were a patient receiving care from a nurse who lacked compassion,” Kimmy Dunne, a mental health nurse, wrote for NursingTimes.Net. “It reminds me that kindness, courage and effective communication are just as important as clinical skills. However, I’ve learned that compassion must be balanced with professional boundaries. Early in my training, I sometimes felt emotionally drained when faced with patients in distress. Still, I’ve understood that being a good nurse means knowing when to step back and protect your well-being while providing high-quality care.” 

The Bottom Line

A new study explores the idea that compassion in mental health nursing is hindered by workforce shortages and increasing demands on practitioners. Steps can be taken to improve compassion in this specialty, but multiple barriers exist, according to the study. 

Read More