Is Mental Health Nursing Facing a Slow Death or Clinical Excellence and Advancement? Future Perspectives for the Flemish Context (Belgium)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: AIMS: To critically and constructively explore the future of mental health nursing in Flanders (Belgium) by examining the historical evolution, current challenges, and potential strategies for clinical excellence and advancement. DESIGN: This study used a historically informed and contextualised grounded analyses to envision future perspectives that support strategically targeted perspectives in compact regions such as Flanders (Belgium). METHODS: A synthesis of published literature, policy documents, academic sources, and Flemish nursing research was conducted to identify key directions. RESULTS: By addressing local challenges, particularly related to education and labor market scarcity, this paper proposes three key directions for progress: 'Back to good basics', 'Reclaiming the driver's seat of clinical advancement' and 'Revitalizing clinical excellence from within clinical nursing practice'. IMPACT: These interlinked perspectives provide a framework for revitalising mental health nursing in Flanders, supporting clinical excellence and development while responding to the most pressing contemporary challenges. Although rooted in a compact regional context, the insights and proposed directions may inspire similar reflections and initiatives in international mental health nursing contexts.
Source: Journal of Advanced Nursing
DOI: 10.1111/jan.70551
Institutions: Ghent University, Katholieke Hogeschool Vives, Hasselt University
Language: English
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7133810652
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