[Health Equity in Mental Health Care: Challenges for Nurses and Related Preparation].
Journal:
Hu li za zhi The journal of nursing
Published Date:
Jun 1, 2025
Abstract
Individuals with mental illness face significant challenges in achieving health equity due to social and structural determinants, fragmented healthcare systems, social stigmas, and disparities in digital health access. As advocates for individuals with mental illness, nurses play a crucial role in promoting health equity. Therefore, nurses must develop structural competency to understand how economic, political, and social structures impact mental healthcare. Moreover, nurses should cultivate cultural sensitivity and inclusivity to appropriately respect the cultural backgrounds of their patients during care, build trust, and reduce the negative impacts of discrimination and stigmas on their health. In addition, nurses should participate actively in health policy formulation and advocacy to eliminate structural barriers within the mental healthcare system to improve accessibility and fairness in medical services. Furthermore, nurses need to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to establish interdisciplinary community partnerships, drive systemic change through community programs and policy translation, and ensure sustainable improvements. As artificial intelligence and digital technologies continue to evolve, nurses must enhance their professional competencies continually to guarantee equitable, high-quality, and inclusive healthcare for those with mental illness and, ultimately, advance overall societal well-being.
