Abstract

Forensic mental health nursing bridges the gap between mental health care and the criminal justice system, focusing on individuals whose mental health issues intersect with legal concerns. This field is critical in addressing the complex needs of vulnerable populations, including those with severe mental illnesses, histories of trauma, and marginalized backgrounds. Forensic mental health nurses face unique challenges, including managing stigma, ensuring safety, and navigating legal and ethical dilemmas. Effective care requires a trauma-informed approach, cultural competence, and integrated care models. This abstract explores the essential role of forensic mental health nurses, the specific challenges they encounter, and the strategies necessary to address the needs of vulnerable populations. By highlighting the importance of targeted policies, ongoing training, and comprehensive support systems, this research underscores the significant impact that forensic mental health nursing has on improving outcomes for individuals at the intersection of mental health and criminal justice.