Mental Health and Mental Illness Study Notes
Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness
Copyright ©2022 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Objectives
Define mental health and mental illness.
Describe the continuum of mental health and mental illness.
Discuss risk and protective factors for mental illness and mental health.
Explore the role of resilience in the prevention of and recovery from mental illness, and consider resilience in response to stress.
Identify how culture influences the view of mental illnesses and behaviors associated with them.
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Mental Health
Defined as a state of well-being in which individuals:
Reach their own potential.
Cope with the normal stresses of life.
Work productively.
Contribute to the community.
Traits of Mental Health
Capacity for:
Rational thinking: The ability to think clearly and logically.
Communication skills: Effectively conveying thoughts and feelings.
Learning: The ability to acquire new knowledge and skills.
Emotional growth: Development and understanding of emotions.
Resilience: The ability to recover from difficulties.
Self-esteem: Confidence in one's own worth or abilities.
Mental Illness
Refers to psychiatric disorders with definable diagnoses.
Characterized by significant dysfunction in mental functioning related to:
Developmental disturbances: Issues arising during developmental stages.
Biological disturbances: Genetic or physiological irregularities.
Physiological disturbances: Factors affecting mental health through physical means.
Culturally defined, meaning the definition and perception can vary by culture.
Mental Health Continuum
Mental Health versus Mental Illness
A real middle ground exists: Stress and discomfort from everyday life can lead to temporary mental health challenges.
The concept is visualized as points along a mental health continuum, acknowledging that mental health is not binary (healthy vs. unhealthy).
Case Study
Case of Mrs. M:
Symptoms: Reports feelings of hopelessness while balancing full-time work, a troubled teenage son, and elderly parents.
Quote: "I can’t deal with my life right now."
Objective: Discuss attributes to screen for a quick mental health assessment.
Objectives for Next Section
Discuss the nature/nurture origins of psychiatric disorders.
Summarize the social influences of mental health care in the United States.
Discuss the role of public policy on mental health funding.
Explain how epidemiological knowledge supports mental healthcare.
Risk and Protective Factors
Published material copyright ©2022 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Individual Attributes and Behaviors
Resilience:
Defined as the ability and capacity to secure resources needed to support well-being.
Characterized by:
Ability to secure needed resources.
Capacity for regulating emotions and overcoming negative thoughts.
Essential to recovery from mental illness.
Social and Economic Circumstances
Influences of:
Family
Schools and peer groups
Socioeconomic status
Educational advancement
Environmental Factors
Influence of:
Political climate & cultural considerations
Social & economic policies
Perceptions of Mental Health and Mental Illness
Mental Illness vs. Physical Illness
Root of most mental disorders lies in intercellular abnormalities rather than purely physical ailments.
Nature versus Nurture
Diathesis-Stress Model:
Diathesis: Biological predisposition.
Stress: Environmental stress or trauma.
The model is widely accepted as the explanation for mental illness.
Combination of genetic vulnerability and negative environmental stressors leads to psychiatric disorders:
Most accepted assertion: Most psychiatric disorders result from both genetic and environmental factors.
Case Study: Discussion
Mrs. M has a history of major depressive disorder.
Quote: “Do we have to deal with that? Can’t we just focus on my insomnia?”
Mrs. M believes addressing insomnia will improve her overall well-being.
Expresses frustration regarding insurance coverage for mental health treatment versus other physical treatments.
Social Influences on Mental Health Care
Impacted by:
Consumer movement & mental health recovery efforts.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Advocacy organization providing support.
Decade of the Brain: Awareness initiative promoting neuroscience research.
Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health: Policy document outlining mental health issues.
Human Genome Project: Mapping of human genes impacts treatment and understanding of mental disorders.
President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health: Policy initiative focusing on improving mental health systems.
Institute of Medicine: Contributions to public health knowledge regarding mental illness.
Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative: Advances the understanding of brain functionality.
Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Initiative: A framework for understanding mental disorders based on various factors.
Legislation and Mental Health Funding
Mental Health Parity Act
Parity: The requirement for equivalence in insurance coverage for mental health treatment and other medical conditions.
Mandates equal treatment coverage for psychiatric disorders.
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Coverage initiatives:
Expanded Medicaid eligibility for low-income populations.
Created health insurance exchanges for more healthcare choices.
Implemented “Insurance mandate” requiring coverage.
Audience Response Question
Which of the following does the Mental Health Parity Act provide?
Coverage for most uninsured Americans through expanded Medicaid eligibility
Health insurance exchanges
“Insurance mandate” for coverage
Equal coverage for mental health disorders
Objectives for Next Section
Identify how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is used for diagnosing psychiatric conditions.
Describe the specialty of psychiatric mental health nursing.
Classification of Mental Disorders
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5):
Official medical guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association for diagnosing psychiatric disorders.
Based on specific criteria influenced by multiprofessional clinical field trials.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Focuses on promoting mental health through:
Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral and mental disorders.
Utilizing nursing, psychosocial, neurobiological theories, and research.
Interacting with people throughout the life span.
Employing in diverse settings with varied populations.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Education Levels
Basic Level:
Psychiatric mental health registered nurse (PMH-RN):
Requires 2 years full-time work, 2000 clinical hours, 30 hours continuing education, followed by a certification exam to add “BC” to RN title (RN-BC).
Advanced Practice:
Psychiatric-mental health advanced practice registered nurse (PMH-APRN):
Requires a Master of Science (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Future Challenges and Opportunities
Trends Affecting Future Mental Health Care: Can include:
Educational challenges in training mental health professionals.
Increased demand for mental health professionals due to societal changes.
Aging population with unique mental health needs.
Cultural diversity and its implications in mental health care.
Advancements in science, technology, and electronic healthcare systems improving access and treatment efficacy.
Advocacy and legislative involvement for mental health policies and funding.