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Mental health nurses are professional nurses who work with people who have mental health issues or mental illness. Mental illness includes psychosis and schizophrenia, depression and substance abuse. Mental health nurses help to manage the life of people who have mental health issues. The nurses help to educate the family members about the mental illness of the patient and also make them aware of the treatment. The nurses help to review the mental health treatment plan along with counselling and strategies that are to be followed during the treatment (Health Direct, 2022). The mental health nurses develop effective relationships with the patient and also with the relatives in order to guide the patient and their carers to take the medication correctly (BCU, n.d.). There are different clinical approaches like conducting assessments, preparing a care plan and supporting patients with non pharmacological interventions that can be used for providing support to patients suffering from mental illness. The paper will discuss five case studies and the clinical practices that are appropriate to treat the patient.
In Vignette 1, Ritvik, a guy with paranoid schizophrenia, is described. Ritvik's mental health has improved, but his medicine has caused him to gain a lot of weight and develop diabetes. The narrative emphasises the importance of attending to those with mental illness and physical health needs, which are sometimes disregarded in mental health care. In this situation, mental health nurses can be extremely helpful in helping Ritvik and his family manage physical health issues and lessen the stigma attached to mental illness.
An important phase in the treatment of patients with mental illness is conducting various assessments which entails carrying out a variety of evaluations that are suited to the needs of consumers (Department of health, 2020). To ascertain Ritvik's general physical health status and find any further medical issues that might be causing his weight gain and diabetes, a full physical health assessment must be done. A thorough medical history, physical examination, and pertinent laboratory testing such as blood tests, lipid profiles, and HbA1c levels should all be part of this evaluation (Samartzis et al., 2019).
Ritvik's recovery strategy should take into account his physical health issues, such as managing his weight and his diabetes (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Ritvik and his family should be included in the development of this plan, which should be created by a multidisciplinary team that may include a dietitian, endocrinologist, and physical therapist. Ritvik and his family can work with the dietitian to create a healthy, balanced eating plan that takes into account his medicines and any medical issues (Chawla et al., 2020).Ritvik's diabetes can receive specialised care from the endocrinologist, who can also help Ritvik keep track of his prescription regimen. Ritvik's physical and mental health can both be improved by the physical therapist's creation of an exercise programme specifically suited to his needs (Mental Health Foundation, 2021).
In vignette 2, the situation of Maya, a person who self-injures and is occasionally taken to the hospital for treatment, is discussed. Additionally, she routinely abuses mental health nurses physically and verbally. Despite the challenging situation, mental health professionals have a duty to provide a welcoming environment for Maya. To do this, de-escalation techniques must be used, along with participation from other multidisciplinary team members and the development of a therapeutic alliance with Maya.
The establishment of a therapeutic alliance with the patient is a crucial facet of mental health treatment. Building a relationship of trust, respect, and understanding with the mental health professional is essential for persons who are suffering from mental illness. Through understanding their emotional pain and learning effective emotion-management skills, people in therapeutic relationships can achieve better mental health results(Crits-Christoph et al., 2019). Creating a therapeutic relationship is even more important in Maya's situation because she self-harms and mistreats mental health carers. By paying close attention to Maya and expressing their understanding of her feelings, mental health nurses can attempt to develop this relationship (Pintar Babič et al., 2020).They can make a space where Maya can speak up and feel heard that is safe and judgment-free. By doing this, the mental health practitioner can show understanding and compassion, which will assist build mutual respect and trust. In Maya's situation, the therapeutic connection might entail figuring out what sets off her self-harm and coming up with techniques for good emotion management. Mental health nurses can support suitable non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy or mindfulness techniques, and give psychoeducation ((Pintar Babič et al., 2020).
It's critical to offer Maya the proper non-pharmacological interventions that can help her regulate her emotions and lessen her self-harming behaviour. Maya self-harms and physically and verbally assaults mental health nurses.One such non-pharmacological technique that has been proven to be successful in treating emotional dysregulation and self-harm is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT assists people in recognising and altering harmful thinking and behaviour patterns that lead to emotional pain and self-harm. Additionally, it can assist people in developing coping mechanisms for controlling their emotions and avoiding self-harm (Department of Health, 2022).Another non-pharmacological technique that has been proven to be successful in treating emotional dysregulation and self-harm is dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). The main goals of DBT are the improvement of interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and emotion regulation. It can assist people in learning how to control challenging emotions, speak clearly, and cultivate stronger relationships (Mind, 2020).
In vignette 4 Robert, who has just recently retired, complains of anxiety and a depressed mood, and a locum general practitioner has recommended that he take venlafaxine to treat his symptoms. The nurses working in mental health can collaborate with Robert and his wife to have a better understanding of Robert's medical history and the medications he takes.Additionally, mental health nurses are able to educate patients on conditions such as anxiety and depression and urge patients like Robert to participate in self-care practices such as physical activity, social engagement, and strategies that reduce stress.
In the instance of Robert, mental health professionals are able to carry out routine reviews to evaluate the efficacy of his medicine and establish whether or not any unfavourable side effects have manifested themselves. In addition to determining how well the drug is working, mental health nurses are also able to track Robert's development by observing the level of participation and communication he exhibits throughout his consultations (Kilbourne et al., 2018).The nurses will be better able to grasp how Robert is feeling and what specific areas require additional care if they conduct an assessment of his communication skills. In addition to this, mental health professionals are able to assess the level of comprehension that Robert's wife possesses regarding his treatment method. Assessing the extent to which significant others and members of the patient's family were involved in the therapy process can offer extremely helpful insights about the treatment plan as a whole (Kilbourne et al., 2018).
In the instance of Robert, mental health nurses need to work closely with his wife and the rest of the healthcare team, including Robert's cardiologist, to build a comprehensive treatment plan that takes into consideration all of Robert's health issues. This is significant because it helps to prevent the possibility of adverse drug interactions and ensures that all parts of his care are coordinated in the appropriate manner (Moyo et al., 2022). Mental health nurses are an important part of the interdisciplinary team, and they have the ability to contribute their experience and understanding of mental health conditions to the process of developing a care plan for patients. By coordinating their efforts with those of other medical professionals, mental health nurses are able to guarantee that Robert will receive comprehensive care that will meet all of his requirements in this regard (Hurley et al., 2022).
In vignette 4 ,in the case of Robert, who is 68 years old and has retired recently has mental illness where health nurses are able to collaborate closely with both him and his wife to ensure that he receives the appropriate treatment for his feelings of hopelessness and worry. This involves being familiar with his medical history and the normal medications he takes, as well as conducting an evaluation of his mental health and providing recommendations for possible therapies, such as referrals to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The importance of conducting an analysis to determine how useful the results obtained should be underlined. In the case of Robert, this involves performing routine checks on the effectiveness of his medicine, determining whether or not he has experienced any adverse effects, and determining whether or not his mood and anxiety levels have improved.The review of the medication is suggested to enhance the use of medication for the improvement of Robert (Huiskes et al., 2017). During the subsequent appointments, the nurses will assess both Robert's and his wife's level of engagement and communication, in addition to determining how well she understands his treatment strategy (Molina-Mula & Gallo-Estrada, 2020). The evaluation of the effectiveness of the outcomes achieved will help the health professionals to monitor the condition of Robert more efficiently. The educational interventions are also very effective in preventing anxiety with the help of evaluation of the results obtained from the patient's report (Moreno-Peral et al., 2017).
The need of working as an active member of the multidisciplinary team is emphasised which not only includes the contribution of nurses but also the involvement of management and treatment care and plan (Jacobs & Mkhize, 2021). Mental health nurses, Robert's wife, and other medical specialists, like his cardiologist, can work together to develop a comprehensive treatment strategy for Robert that takes into account all of his health problems (Kumar et al., 2020). In the case of Robert, integrated care is involved by the practitioners and professionals from different various sectors (Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2023). This strategy will involve analysing the benefits and drawbacks of any medications that may be prescribed to Robert. This comprises encouraging self-care habits such as exercise, and social engagement, and skills for stress management such as meditation and yoga (Kumar et al., 2020).
In vignette 5, Yindi, an Aboriginal woman from Australia, deliberately causes a car accident out of desperation, she goes to the emergency hospital following the incident. She consumes a lot of alcohol, and despite the fact that she experiences a cultural form of depression, she does not believe that medication may help. Mental health nurses have the potential to play a vital role in Yindi's care by helping to address the cultural and societal factors that contribute to her depression and by assisting her in gaining access to the appropriate interventions.
Making ethical decisions entails abiding by a set of moral standards that direct one's behaviour when working with patients. When creating a treatment plan, mental health professionals must consider the patient's cultural views and values and take care to avoid imposing their own values or beliefs on the patient. To ensure that the patient receives the best care possible, collaborative decision-making entails engaging with other healthcare professionals, such as Indigenous health practitioners (Olejarczyk & Young, 2019). To include cultural components in Yindi's treatment plan, mental health professionals may need to collaborate with Indigenous healthcare experts.
The mental health nurses must refer Yindi to a drug and alcohol service for specialised care because her alcohol use may be a factor in her melancholy. This is an illustration of person-centred care, which entails identifying and attending to each patient's particular requirements.Additionally, mental health nurses should inform Yindi about the negative effects of alcohol use and motivate her to adopt healthy coping mechanisms, including exercise or relaxation methods. It's critical to take Yindi's choices into account and involve her loved ones in the healing process (Public Health England, 2017). So that she can recover both physically and mentally, the mental health nurses can build a support structure for her. In order to guarantee that Yindi receives complete care, mental health nurses might also collaborate with other medical specialists. In order to address any physical health difficulties, this may need working with a primary care physician, and it may also entail consulting with a psychologist or social worker to address any psychosocial issues.
SMART Goal 1: The specific goal is to increase communication with customers who come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Within a period of six months, the measurable goal is to achieve an increase in client satisfaction survey results of 20% in the category of communication.
Achievable: Participate in a workshop on cultural competence training, and incorporate newly learned communication techniques into your sessions.
Relevant: Effective communication is an essential component of providing high-quality, client-centred care, and increasing one's cultural competence can enhance outcomes for patients who come from a variety of different backgrounds (Aghera et al., 2018).
Time-bound: Within the next half year
Justification: Establishing a good therapeutic relationship with patients who originate from a variety of cultural backgrounds, fostering confidence in one another, and improving treatment outcomes all need effective communication with those patients. As a professional in the field of mental health, it is vital to have cultural competency in order to comprehend and handle the specific requirements and worries of patients who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Through participation in a training course on cultural competency and the use of new communication tactics, I will be able to build a more in-depth understanding of cultural differences and enhance my ability to communicate with customers who come from a variety of backgrounds.
SMART Goal 2: Specific: To enhance knowledge and abilities in treatments for depression and anxiety that are supported by evidence
Measurable: Within the next year, finish two continuing education courses that focus on evidence-based therapies for anxiety and depression.
Achievable: It is possible to conduct the necessary research, make the proper course selections, and finish them within the permitted amount of time for continuing education.
Relevant: It has been demonstrated that treatments that are based on evidence are beneficial in the treatment of depressive and anxious disorders and can improve client results (SAMHSA, n.d.).
Time-sensitive: during the next year
Justification It is essential for a mental health practitioner to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the most recent research and treatments that are supported by evidence. Increasing my knowledge and honing my abilities via the completion of continuing education courses that centre on evidence-based therapies for depression and anxiety will make me more equipped to provide effective therapy to patients who suffer from these diseases. My ability to deliver high-quality treatment that is centred on the needs of clients and to improve their outcomes will ultimately be improved as a result of this.
Nurses that specialise in mental health interact directly with patients who are experiencing mental health concerns, offering support in the form of conversation and psychiatric treatment. They perform evaluations, collaborate with patients and families to construct treatment plans for recovery, and design specialised treatment programmes for those who suffer from eating disorders or anxiety. In addition to this, they play an important part in respecting the cultural background and points of view of patients, defining objectives that are SMART in order to obtain effective results, and participating in continuing education courses in order to stay current with evidence-based treatments. It is essential for professionals in the field of mental health to cultivate healthy therapeutic relationships with patients who come from a variety of different backgrounds and to stay current on the latest findings in research and treatment options.
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