title: Challenges for nurses who work in community mental health centres in the West Bank, Palestine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nurses in Palestine (occupied Palestinian territory) work in a significantly challenging environment. The mental health care system is underdeveloped and under-resourced. For example, the total number of nurses who work in community mental health centres in the West Bank is seventeen, clearly insufficient in a total population of approximately three million. This research explored daily challenges that Palestinian community mental health nurses (CMHNs) face within and outside their demanding workplaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interpretive qualitative design was chosen. Face-to-face interviews were completed with fifteen participants. Thirty-two hours of observations of the day-to-day working environment and workplace routines were conducted in two communities' mental health centres. Written documents relating to practical job-related policies were also collected from various workplaces. Thematic analysis was used across all data sources resulting in four main themes, which describe the challenges faced by CMHNs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These themes consist of the context of unrest, stigma, lack of resources, and organisational or mental health system challenges. The study concludes with a better understanding of challenges in nursing which draws on wider cultural contexts and resilience. The outcomes from this study can be used to decrease the challenges for health professionals and enhance the mental health care system in Palestine.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Annajah National University, Annajah National University Hospital, West Bank, Palestine.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Eastgate House, 35-43 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AB UK.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hannigan
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Eastgate House, 35-43 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0AB UK.
authors.forename: Aled
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
keywords: Challenges; Community mental health nurses; Conflict zone; Mental health system; Palestine; West Bank