Mental Health Nursing
More people are getting health-conscious as new strains of diseases are
developing in the recent decades. Despite the medical experiments and
discoveries, there are still illnesses that are incurable such as the diabetes and
AIDS. However, people should be aware that not only the physical health should
be given attention. Mental health is important as well that should be taken care of
for normal bodily functions.
It’s unknown for most people that mental health should be nursed like
physical health. Aside from bizarre behavior and thinking, there are no “physical”
symptoms that manifest diseases for the mental health unlike for problems in the
physical health which seemingly obvious to maim the body.
Mental health nursing or also called psychiatric nursing involves caring for
individuals with mental illness and mental distress. The mental conditions are
vast ranging in neuroses, psychoses, depression, schizophrenia, and personality
disorders. Nurses working in this field receive training in psychological therapies,
dealing with bizarre behavior, and administration of psychiatric medication.
In fact, it is one of the most complex and demanding areas of nursing.
Mental health nurses are challenged by forming therapeutic relationships with
mentally ill people and their families which is critical in the healing process.
Mental illness is brought by a crisis in life in which they can’t cope with, such as
drastic change in social environment or death of a partner. Also, heredity is
involved in acquiring mental illness.
Mental health nursing requires special demands from the medical
practitioners working on this area. A mental health nurse’s main tool in
overcoming obstacles experienced while nursing a patient is his own strength of
personality and communication skills. Emphasis in dealing with the patients is
necessary to show warmth and care in treating them. But most of all, the stigma
attached to mental illness should be taken away for the harmonious coexistence
between the nurses and the individuals together with their families.
However, the danger of violence is not avoidable with this branch of
nursing that is why skills in spotting of building tension and skills in calming down
patients are required. The human mind and behavior cannot be exactly read.
Thus, patience is important in dealing with mentally ill individuals.
According to statistics, more than 450 million people suffer from a mental
or behavioral problem around the globe while one million people commit suicide
every year. However, despite the existence of effective treatments, they are not
available to most people afflicted with mental illness.
Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the mental
health treatment should be integrated into primary health care. There should be
improved supervision and support from mental health specialists that are needed
in assisting nurses when caring for people with complex mental health needs.
Moreover, mental health nursing should be incorporated into basic nursing
and midwifery education with mental health concepts reinforced and expanded
throughout the curricula. Ongoing education helps nurses to further develop their
knowledge and skills in custodial models of mental health care. Specialized
education for mental health nurses should be established to ensure that nurses
are able to provide adequate services for people with severe mental disorders.
Mental health is crucial to the development of individuals, societies and
countries. It encompasses a state of well-being wherein people recognizes their
abilities, works productively, contributes to the community and able to cope with
the stresses of life. People should be liberated in taking for granted the
importance of mental health. Also, they should be oriented in freeing their mind
from the stigma of mental illness. Like the physical illnesses, mental health
conditions will deteriorate the body if not given proper care and medication.
References:
Gournay, Kevin, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 1996
Wilson, Janice, Mental Health Nursing and its Future: A Framework Discussion, June 2006
International Council of Nurses, ICN Position Statement on Mental Health, http://www.icn.com
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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