Mental Health Nurses’ Experiences Accessing Workplace Psychological Support in Irish Forensic Mental Health Service: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Background: Forensic mental health nurses (FMHNs) face unique challenges within their professional roles due to the dual demands of providing therapeutic care while ensuring security in forensic settings. Despite the importance of workplace psychological support in mitigating stress and burnout associated with their roles, little is known about the specific experiences and perceptions of FMHNs in accessing workplace support, particularly within Irish forensic mental health services. Aim: To explore FMHNs' experiences accessing workplace psychological support within Irish Forensic Mental Health Services. Method: An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach was employed to gain in-depth insights into the experiences of FMHNs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 FMHNs working in forensic mental health services in Ireland. Findings: Three main themes emerged: (1) Awareness, Access and Utilisation, with sub-themes addressing current knowledge, access pathways, and support outcomes; (2) Factors Affecting Support Uptake, including workplace culture, personal factors, and organisational constraints; and (3) Future Engagement with Support, exploring willingness to access support and recommendations for improvement. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that while FMHNs recognise the value of workplace psychological support, they face significant barriers in accessing it. These include stigma, confidentiality concerns, and resource limitations. FMHNs were often unaware of the available workplace supports or how to access them. There is a need for more structured, accessible, and diverse support options tailored to the unique needs of FMHNs, as well as increased education and promotion of available workplace support. Relevance to clinical practice: Proactive, preventative approaches to staff wellbeing should be prioritised. Findings can inform the development of more effective psychological support systems for FMHNs, potentially enhancing staff wellbeing, job satisfaction, and ultimately, the quality of patient care in forensic mental health settings. Healthcare organisations should focus on destigmatising support-seeking, ensuring confidentiality, and providing diverse, easily accessible support options.