This blog will outline some of the challenges involved in using torch light to observe clients in mental health units at night and also provide some alternative options. Part of routine mental health care on mental health units is regular observations of people while they are sleeping/lying in bed. These routine observations are undertaken due to their perceived benefit in ensuring safety and wellbeing and to reduce the risk of suicide or severe harm. Nursing staff may need to complete observations up to 4 times per hour overnight and torch light is frequently used.