Post-Migration Mental Health of Black African Migrant Nurses in England

International nurse migration has become increasingly prevalent, with nurses from developing nations, particularly in Africa, moving to high-income countries like the UK. While this movement offers better economic and professional opportunities, it also presents significant challenges, particularly regarding mental health. Migration-induced stress, exacerbated by acculturative pressures, can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety among migrant nurses. Despite the importance of this issue, there has been limited research into the mental health status of Black African migrant nurses in England. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the mental health well-being of Black African migrant nurses in England, using validated scales: the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). Findings revealed that while the overall mental well-being of participants was comparable to the national average, the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was significantly higher. Specifically, 60.8% of respondents reported HSCL-10 scores indicative of mental health issues, a rate nearly three times higher than that reported in hospital staff and the general population. Notably, those whose symptoms began after migration had significantly higher levels of psychological distress, emphasising the role of migration in exacerbating mental health issues. Factors such as racism and discrimination were found to be the strongest predictors of poor mental health, followed by spending time alone when off work, job stress, age and health status. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions and policies addressing the specific challenges faced by Black African migrant nurses, particularly in the areas of workplace discrimination and social integration.