Mental Health and Mental Illness

Mental Health

  • A state of emotional, psychological, and social wellness evidenced by
    satisfying interpersonal relationships, effective behavior and coping, positive self-concept, and emotional stability.

    • We all strive for a good mental health. What we Promote.

Mental Illness

  • A state of imbalance characterized by a disturbance of a person’s thoughts (towards themselves or others), feelings (depression), or behaviors (anger).

    • One out of the disturbances is a mental illness, does not have to be all three.

    • 1 OUT OF 4 PEOPLE HAVE A DIAGNOSED ILLNESS.

    • Can be long term or short term.

Psychiatric Nurse

  • Interpersonal process (me and the client) whereby, the nurse (advocate for the patient), through the therapeutic use of themselves, assist an individual, group, or community to promote mental health, prevent mental illness and suffering, to participate in the treatment and rehabilitation of the mentally ill, and if necessary, to find meaning in these experiences.

    • Prevention - advocate for them, find meaning in the experience

All Behavior Has Meaning

  • Psychiatric Nursing is different

  • All new situations are preceded by anxiety

  • Don’t let your emotions overrule your intellect

    • Emotions > Intellect = React

    • Intellect > Emotions = Respond

Anxiety

  • A feeling of discomfort and apprehension related to fear of impending danger. The individual may be unaware of the source of his/her anxiety, but it is often accompanied by feelings of uncertainty and helplessness.

    • When it starts to interfere with activities of daily living.

      • EX: Stop going to work due to not feeling safe.

  • SAFETY is the number one concern in Psychiatric Nursing!

  • Therapeutic Communication Skills are the foundation for relationships and acknowledging client feelings should always come FIRST

  • Schmoozing Works

    • Small talk with the clients. Building relationships and getting to know trhem.

Goals for You

  • Progress not Perfection

  • Empathy for those suffering from mental illness

  • Comprehend the central importance of, and demonstrate use of therapeutic communication skills

  • Understand the nursing priorities, clinical disorders, and medications used to treat them

  • Enhance self-awareness

  • Be open and genuine – Be Yourself

  • It's never about you; it's always about them – finding things you have in common is okay, if communicated appropriately

  • Always be appropriate – never overstep your boundaries or make others feel uncomfortable

  • Don't talk at people – Listen, Listen, Listen

  • Don’t overdo it – pushing too hard will be ineffective

  • Be honest to maintain credibility

Relationship Development

  • We see things not as they are. We see things as we are.

How We See the World

  • Life’s Filters

    • Beliefs, attitude, values, cultures, religion, social status, gender, age

Self Awareness

  • Beliefs - ideas YOU hold to be true. they can be rational or irrational

    • Don’t focus on dementia patients, no need to rationalize with them

    • Irrationality is seen on schizophrenia patients

  • Attitudes - frame of reference about which you organize knowledge; usually selective and BIASED

  • Values - abstract standards; positive or negative. Requires action or action producing

    • Ex: Being healthy so you work out and eat healthy

Important Reminders

  • Key Ingredient is YOU, YOU, YOU

  • Keep the focus on the CLIENT

  • Requires self-awareness

  • Requires self-understanding

  • It is intertwined with your intellect and emotions