Introduction
Nursing mental health is one of the most multifaceted and challenging branches of nursing. One third of the population is thought to suffer from some form of mental health problem. A mental health nurse may be part of a team working with people who may have been excluded from services through drug or alcohol abuse. Nursing mental health can be described as "the specialty of nursing that cares for people of all ages with mental illness or mental distress, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression or dementia." Nurses in this area receive more training in psychological therapies, building a therapeutic alliance, dealing with challenging behavior, and the administration of psychiatric medication. For a mental health nurse, being able to think fast under pressure is an important part of any given day's work.
History
Radical changes have been made in many governments’ approach to mental health over the past few years. In the UK, in the 1999 white paper Modernising Mental Health Services, it was pledged to deliver a modern and dependable service, with a sum of £700m invested to improve nursing mental health. The National Service Framework on Mental Health was also developed to provide standard care, support staff, and involvement of patients and relatives in the actual preparation and deliverance of treatment. Client-centred care has improved as a result, and nursing mental health now is a major focus of client needs. Most patients are treated at home according to their preference. The UK government has promised more training for all those involved in nursing mental health.
Features
A mental health assessment gives the doctor a general picture of how well the patient feels emotionally and how well the patient can think, reason, and retain and remember things (cognitive functioning). Questions are asked and an examination takes place, with some answers being given in writing. The patient’s look and mood, behavior, thinking, reasoning, memory, and the ability of expression will be observed. Questions about how the patient gets along with other people, including family and friends will be asked. Sometimes the assessment includes lab tests, such as blood or urine tests.
Tips and comments
As government grants and importance to the sector of nursing mental health has increased, the recruitment at mental health trusts has also increased. Becoming involved in nursing mental health can make a real, important difference to better the lives of people of all ages who suffer from mental health problems. Nursing mental health mainly involves the strength of the nurse’s own personality and communication skills. Nurses need to sympathize with the people being dealt with, and they need to display warmth and care.
Unfortunately, some shame is attached to nursing mental health. Combating this and helping the individuals and their families deal with it is a key part of the job. The risk of violence is often linked with this division of nursing, and one of the unique skills necessary is to swiftly recognize a buildup of tension and smooth it out.
