Foundational Concepts of Mental Health Nursing

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering foundational concepts of mental health nursing, ethical principles, legal policies, determinants, bias, stigma, and culturally sensitive care.

Mental Health

The foundational state for emotions and emotional well-being, thinking and learning, communication, resilience, self-esteem, relationships, and daily functioning.

Mental Illness

A health condition that results in changes in emotions, thinking, and behavior, associated with distress or problems in daily functioning, social and family relationships, and work or school.

Mental Health Disorders

A diagnostic term for health conditions categorized by a group of clinical manifestations, such as neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, schizophrenia spectrum, anxiety, and eating disorders.

Mental Health Continuum

A continuum of care and mental health states ranging from well-being (excelling, thriving, surviving) to mental illness (struggling, crisis).

Diathesis-Stress Model

A psychological model explaining that mental health outcomes and disorders result from the interaction between a predisposition or vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stress.

Mental Health Determinants

The key influencing factors of mental health, encompassing environmental factors, social or economic circumstances, and individual attributes or behaviors.

Stigma

Negative attitudes, beliefs, or systemic barriers surrounding mental health care and treatment, categorized into public, self, and institutional levels.

Public Stigma

Negative attitudes, prejudices, and discriminatory behaviors expressed by the general public toward individuals with mental health conditions.

Self-Stigma

The internalizing of negative societal attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes by an individual experiencing mental illness, leading to reduced self-esteem and shame.

Institutional Stigma

Systemic policies or practices within government or private organizations that intentionally or unintentionally restrict opportunities and care for people with mental health conditions.

Bias

A inclination or prejudice affecting mental health care, manifested through stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, and classified as implicit or explicit.

Implicit Bias

Unconscious attitudes, stereotypes, or associations that involuntarily influence individual understanding, actions, and decision-making.

Explicit Bias

Conscious attitudes, beliefs, and prejudices that an individual knowingly holds and intentionally demonstrates toward a person or group.

DSM-5-TR

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), used for defining and diagnosing mental health conditions and establishing a common diagnostic language.

Beneficence

An ethical principle in healthcare requiring actions that promote the well-being and best interests of the client.

Autonomy

An ethical principle upholding the client's right to self-determination and independent decision-making regarding their care.

Nonmaleficence

An ethical principle obligating healthcare professionals to do no harm to clients.

Justice

An ethical principle ensuring fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment and distribution of resources for all clients.

Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008

A federal law requiring health insurance coverage for mental health and addiction services to be equal to coverage provided for medical and physical health care.

Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Legislation establishing legal protection standards for client privacy, confidentiality, and protected health information.

Duty to Warn

A legal obligation permitting healthcare providers to break client confidentiality to warn specific vulnerable individuals or authorities if a client poses a serious threat of harm.

Culturally Sensitive Nursing Care

Client-centered, holistic nursing care practiced with cultural humility that respects individual autonomy, recognizes power imbalances, and seeks to understand and empower client cultural values and practices.