Mental Health Nurses' Day 2026

Published: 20 February 2026

This year Mental Health Nurses’ Day falls on 21 February 2026. As part of recognising this day for our Trust, we spoke to Sarah Smyth, the Trust’s Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Professions/Caldicott Guardian. Sarah shared her perspectives on the importance of mental health nursing and addresses the incredible team working throughout services in the Trust.

“Ahead of Mental Health Nurses’ Day 2026 I’d like to firstly thank all our nurses’ for the vital and often life‑changing role of the Mental Health Nurse and secondly introduce the new Head of Nursing Mental Health who is excited to work with us in our ongoing journey in delivering outstanding care to our service users.

Mental health nursing is a profession built on compassion, clinical skill and a deep commitment to supporting people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives and your role goes far beyond simply delivering care. You are listeners, advocates, educators and partners in recovery.

A core part of the role is building therapeutic relationships. As Mental Health Nurses you take the time to understand each person’s unique experiences, strengths, and needs. Mental health does not exist separately from physical health, and you all play a crucial role in bridging that gap, ensuring patients receive truly holistic care.

You stand alongside individuals who may feel unheard or misunderstood, ensuring their rights, dignity and choices are respected. In crisis situations, Mental Health Nurses are often the first point of contact and your role in offering hope cannot be underestimated. The role requires you to believe in people, especially at times when they may struggle to believe in themselves. It is a role that demands patience, courage, compassion and emotional strength. But it is also a role that brings immense reward, offering the privilege of witnessing people grow, heal and rediscover their potential.

Thank you for the care you deliver to the people we serve and each other.”

A message from Sarah Smyth, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Professions/Caldicott Guardian

Our new Head of Nursing Mental Health, Sian Johnson, had the following to say: “Hello, my name is Sian Johnson, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Head of Nursing Mental Health. This is a new role, and I’m looking forward to working with all of our nurses’ to support our services and keep improving the care we provide.

A bit about me: I’m a mental health nurse with 19 years’ experience working in lots of different areas including inpatient, community, crisis and specialist services, across older people’s services, adult mental health and CAMHS. I’ve learned a lot along the way, and this has given me a broad understanding of the diverse needs within our field.

This role is something the Trust truly values and appreciates. Creating this position shows a real commitment to supporting nursing staff and strengthening mental health services. I’m proud to be stepping into a role that is not only about leadership, but also about being an advocate for all of you, ensuring your voices are heard and your hard work is recognised at every level.

My goal is to be a visible, supportive leader who champions nursing excellence and helps create a positive working environment. I’ll be working closely with teams, managers and other partners to:

- Make sure you have the training, support and resources you need to do your best work

- Keep patient care safe, high-quality and person-centred

- Listen to your feedback and be a clear point of contact for any questions or ideas

- Help with recruitment and retention so we have a strong, motivated workforce

- Encourage fresh ideas and best practices by staying up to date with the latest in mental health care

Being visible and accessible is important to me. I have already started visiting teams to get out and about, hear from you directly and understand what life is like on the ground.

I want to say a huge thank you to all mental health nurses for the passion and dedication you bring to your work every day. This job can be tough, no doubt, emotionally and physically but it’s also incredibly important. On Mental Health Nurses’ Day 2026 and always, I hope you’ll remember why you chose this path: to make a real difference in people’s lives. Never underestimate the difference you make by the work that you do.

Please also remember to look out for each other and treat your colleagues with the same kindness and compassion you show your service users. Supporting one another is what keeps us strong.

You’re all truly appreciated, and I’m really honoured to be working alongside you all.”

A message from Sian Johnson, Head of Nursing Mental Health