Modern Mental Health Nursing: Essential Competencies for 2025

Mental health presentations continue to rise across emergency, acute, community and aged-care settings. Nurses need modern, trauma-informed approaches to care.

Core Competencies All Nurses Need

1. Trauma-Informed Practice
   – Safety
   – Trust
   – Choice
   – Collaboration
   – Empowerment

2. Behaviour Assessment and De-escalation
   – ABC behaviour charting
   – Verbal & nonverbal de-escalation
   – Space, tone & body language

3. Suicide Risk Assessment
   Tools to use:
   – C-SSRS
   – SAD PERSONS

4. Medication Monitoring
   – Mood stabilisers
   – Antipsychotics
   – Depot preparations
   – Side effects and red flags

5. Understanding Dual Diagnosis
   – Substance misuse plus mental health
   – Acute behavioural disturbances

6. Safe Environment Management
   – Ligature risks
   – Constant observation requirements
   – Environmental scanning

Mental health nursing is no longer limited to MH wards — it is essential across all healthcare settings.