Abstract
Nursing plays a pivotal role in addressing global health priorities. Mental health nursing is pivotal in the worldwide effort to overcome stigma, promote well-being, and address the complex landscape of mental health. By applying the 4Ws framework—What is, What if, What wows, and What works—nurses can strategically enhance their role in advocating for health equity and advancing mental health as a global priority.
Assess the current global mental health crisis presents challenges like stigma, discrimination, and inadequate access to care. Reimagine the role by asking questions, brainstorming new strategies, and considering how mental health services can be integrated into primary care.
Identify high-impact opportunities, such as spearheading anti-stigma campaigns, creating mental well-being programs, and collaborating across disciplines, thereby “wowing” stakeholders. Finally, nurses can implement these ideas through pilot programs, continuous feedback, and refining real-time solutions. This commitment to ongoing improvement and learning ensures that prototypes of new care models and interdisciplinary collaboration can be scaled to achieve a broader, lasting impact on mental health outcomes.
By leveraging the 4Ws, nurses can strategically reshape mental health care, advocate for vulnerable populations, and promote well-being. Nursing power can change the world!
Notes
References:
Abookire S, Plover C, Frasso R and Ku B (2020) Health Design Thinking: An Innovative Approach in Public Health to Defining Problems and Finding Solutions. Front. Public Health 8:459. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00459
Eiroa-Orosa, F. J., Lomascolo, M., & Tosas-Fernández, A. (2021). Efficacy of an Intervention to Reduce Stigma Beliefs and Attitudes among Primary Care and Mental Health Professionals: Two Cluster Randomised-Controlled Trials. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(3), 1214. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031214
Stuart H. (2016). Reducing the stigma of mental illness. Global mental health (Cambridge, England), 3, e17. https://doi.org/10.1017/gmh.2016.11
Tóth, M. D., Ihionvien, S., Leduc, C., Aust, B., Amann, B. L., Cresswell-Smith, J., Reich, H., Cully, G., Sanches, S., Fanaj, N., Qirjako, G., Tsantila, F., Ross, V., Mathieu, S., Pashoja, A. C., Arensman, E., Purebl, G., & MENTUPP Consortium (2023). Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to reduce mental health related stigma in the workplace: a systematic review. BMJ open, 13(2), e067126. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067126
Sigma Membership
Pi at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Workforce, Health Equity, Social Determinants of Health, Implementation Science, Cliical Practice, Promoting Clinical Outcomes, Mental Health Nursing, Global Health Priorities
Recommended Citation
Weinstein, Sharon M. and Hess, Marianne E., "Overcoming Stigma of Mental Health and Promoting Well-being with the 4Ws Framework ...Nursing Role" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 106.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/106
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-21
Overcoming Stigma of Mental Health and Promoting Well-being with the 4Ws Framework ...Nursing Role
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Nursing plays a pivotal role in addressing global health priorities. Mental health nursing is pivotal in the worldwide effort to overcome stigma, promote well-being, and address the complex landscape of mental health. By applying the 4Ws framework—What is, What if, What wows, and What works—nurses can strategically enhance their role in advocating for health equity and advancing mental health as a global priority.
Assess the current global mental health crisis presents challenges like stigma, discrimination, and inadequate access to care. Reimagine the role by asking questions, brainstorming new strategies, and considering how mental health services can be integrated into primary care.
Identify high-impact opportunities, such as spearheading anti-stigma campaigns, creating mental well-being programs, and collaborating across disciplines, thereby “wowing” stakeholders. Finally, nurses can implement these ideas through pilot programs, continuous feedback, and refining real-time solutions. This commitment to ongoing improvement and learning ensures that prototypes of new care models and interdisciplinary collaboration can be scaled to achieve a broader, lasting impact on mental health outcomes.
By leveraging the 4Ws, nurses can strategically reshape mental health care, advocate for vulnerable populations, and promote well-being. Nursing power can change the world!
Description
The 4Ws framework enhances nurses' strategic role in addressing stigma and promoting well-being in mental health care. By encouraging reflection and respect, the framework allows nurses to critically assess their current roles, identify gaps in care, and explore innovative solutions for advancing mental health support. This comprehensive approach empowers nurses to take a more active role in shaping mental health care, ensuring greater equity and well-being.