Structural competency in mental health nursing: Understanding and applying key concepts

Achieving mental health equity requires that nursing address structures that impede the ability of individuals and populations to achieve optimal mental health. Consistent with calls for structural change, this paper intends to promote structural competency in mental health nursing by applying this concept to the field. The first half of the paper discusses structural competency and key concepts vital for its development, namely, structure, social influencers of mental health, equity, structural justice, and historical understanding. In the second half we apply structural competency to mental health nursing at the educational, practice and system levels and conclude with recommendations for change.

Automated summary

This paper delves into the importance of structural competency in mental health nursing, discussing key concepts and how to apply this concept at different levels. By analyzing structure, social influencers, equity, structural justice, and historical understanding, recommendations for change are proposed.