Written by By Ojebode Dorcas Ifeoluwa (The Nurse_Writer) For Fellow Nurses Africa.
Supporting African Nurses Through Burnout: Mental Health Matters
“She was a nurse, a woman trained to save lives. Yet, she couldn’t find the help she needed to save her own.”
In June 2025, Nigeria mourned Margaret Archibong, a 35-year-old nursing officer whose life ended after years of emotional turmoil and abuse. Her story broke hearts—not just because she was a victim of violence, but because she was one of us: a caregiver, a professional, and a woman whose pain went unheard for too long.
Not long ago, Kenya also lost Caroline Nyanchama Otwere, a 48-year-old nurse battling mental health challenges. She was found lifeless in her home. Her silence, too, was a cry that went unnoticed.
These are not isolated tragedies. They are stark reminders of the immense pain African nurses silently carry while serving others.
The Harsh Realities of Nursing in Africa
Being a nurse in Africa is more than a job—it’s a calling that comes with heavy burdens. Beyond nurse burnout, here are the realities many face:
- Overwork and Fatigue: Nurses are stretched thin, often doing the work of multiple staff members. Long shifts, little rest, and no time to breathe leave them physically and emotionally drained.
- Emotional Weight: Nurses witness death, console grieving families, and push through heartbreak daily. They’re told to “be strong” and prioritize empathy over their own feelings.
- Troubles at Home: Many nurses, like Margaret, return home to stress, domestic abuse, or strained relationships. Yet, they show up the next day, masking their pain.
- Financial Stress: Some nurses go months without salaries, forcing them to take side jobs—selling food or crafts—just to survive.
- Mental Health Stigma: Admitting “I need help” is often seen as weakness. Nurses fear judgment, so they suffer in silence.
- Feeling Invisible: Despite their tireless efforts, nurses often feel undervalued by patients, colleagues, and the healthcare system. Who cares for the caregivers?
Refilling an Empty Cup: Self-Care for Nurses
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Here are practical ways nurses can prioritize their mental health:
- Take Breath Breaks: Even 10 quiet minutes alone can calm your mind and spirit.
- Talk to Someone: Share with a trusted colleague, friend, or support group. Your voice deserves to be heard.
- Write It Out: Journaling can help untangle the chaos of emotions inside.
- Set Boundaries: It’s okay to say “no” to extra duties when you’re overwhelmed. You’re not a machine.
- Lean on Faith: If prayer or spirituality brings you peace, make time for it.
- Seek Help: Therapy isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a safe space to heal.
What Healthcare Institutions Must Do
Hospitals and healthcare systems play a critical role in addressing nurse burnout and supporting mental health for nurses. Here’s how they can act:
- Allow Rest: Nurses need regular off-days to recover, not just sleep. Rest is healing.
- Provide Mental Health Support: Offer in-house counseling, therapy partnerships, or regular emotional check-ins.
- Create Safe Spaces: Establish rooms where nurses can express their feelings, cry, or reflect without judgment.
- Pay On Time: Timely and fair salaries reduce financial stress, giving nurses peace of mind.
- Protect the Vulnerable: Implement clear support systems for nurses facing domestic abuse or mental health crises.
A Call to Nurses at the Edge
If you’re feeling alone, overwhelmed, or empty, know this: You are not invisible. Your life matters. Your mental health matters. Speak up. Lean on a peer. Seek help without shame. You don’t have to fight this alone.
Margaret and Caroline’s stories are a wake-up call. Their losses must spark change. It’s time to build a culture where nurse-care is sacred, not sacrificed—where burnout is a warning, not a badge of honor.
Let’s Act Now
Supporting African nurses through burnout isn’t just about saving professionals—it’s about saving lives and preserving humanity. Let’s commit to listening, acting, and supporting. Today. Now.
When we heal our nurses, we heal our communities.
Fellow Nurses Africa is the independent voice of African nursing, we educate, support and inform the nursing profession:
