A Creative Approach to Enhancing Nurses’ Mental Health: Art Therapy

The nursing profession carries significant mental health risks due to its high levels of stress and intense emotional demands. Factors such as the pandemic and staff shortages have increased nurses’ workloads, leading to a rise in mental health issues such as burnout, anxiety, and depression. These mental health challenges negatively affect both individual well-being and the quality of patient care. In addition to traditional interventions, art therapy has emerged as a promising method to support nurses' psychological well-being. By utilizing creative processes such as painting, music, dance, and drama, art therapy helps individuals express their emotions, reduce stress, and enhance psychological resilience. Research shows that art therapy alleviates nurses' emotional burden, fosters self-awareness, and promotes psychological healing. This review discusses the mental health issues faced by nurses, the impacts of these issues, and the positive effects of art therapy on nurses' mental health based on scientific findings.