scholarly journals Mental health nurses' attitudes toward self-harm: Curricular implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 406-414
Author(s):  
David G. Shaw ◽  
Peter T. Sandy

Background: Self-harm is an old problem but increasing in incidence. It has important consequences for the individual concerned, the health care system, and can impact the well-being of staff. Extensive prior research has adopted a quantitative approach, thereby failing to explore in detail the perspective of mental health nurses. The literature also neglects secure mental health settings.Methods: The study aimed to explore the attitudes of mental health nurses toward service users who self-harm in secure environments, and to inform mental health curriculum development. It was conducted in a large forensic mental health unit, containing medium and low secure facilities, to the west of London, UK. A qualitative multi-method approach was adopted, underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data were obtained from mental health nurses using individual interviews and focus groups, and analysis followed a step-by-step thematic approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Nurses' attitudes toward self-harm varied but were mainly negative, and this was usually related to limited knowledge and skills. The results of the study, framed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, led to the development of a proposed educational model entitled ‘Factors Affecting Self-Harming Behaviours’ (FASH).Conclusion: The FASH Model may inform future curriculum innovation. Adopting a holistic approach to education of nurses about self-harm may assist in developing attitudes and skills to make care provision more effective in secure mental health settings.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randi Tofthagen ◽  
Anne-Grethe Talseth ◽  
Lisbeth Fagerström

The aim of this study was to explore mental health nurses’ experiences of caring for inpatients who self-harm during an acute phase. The setting was four psychiatric clinics in Norway. Fifteen mental health nurses (MHNs) were recruited. Semistructured interviews comprised the method for data collection, with content analysis used for data analysis. Two main categories emerged: challenging and collaborative nurse-patient relationship and promoting well-being through nursing interventions. The underlying meaning of the main categories was interpreted and formulated as a latent theme: promoting person-centered care to patients suffering from self-harm. How MHNs promote care for self-harm patients can be described as a person-centered nursing process. MHNs, through the creation of a collaborative nurse-patient relationship, reflect upon nursing interventions and seek to understand each unique patient. The implication for clinical practice is that MHNs are in a position where they can promote patients’ recovery processes, by offering patients alternative activities and by working in partnership with patients to promote their individual strengths and life knowledge. MHNs strive to help patients find new ways of living with their problems. The actual study highlighted that MHNs use different methods and strategies when promoting the well-being of self-harm patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Louise L. Flores ◽  
Edric Matthew R. Manahan ◽  
Miguel Paulo B. Lacanilao ◽  
Isabella Ma. Beatriz T. Ladaw ◽  
Mico Martin B. Mallillin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To address the maldistribution of healthcare providers and the shortage of physicians in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas of the Philippines, the Philippine National Rural Physician Deployment Program, or more commonly known as the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program was established in 1993. However, as of 2011, only 18% of the DTTBs chose to stay in their assigned municipalities after their two-year deployment, termed retention. This study aims to identify the individual, local, work, national, and international factors affecting the retention of DTTBs in their assigned communities after their two-year deployment. Methods A descriptive, mixed-methods, explanatory design was used. For the quantitative part, the modified and updated Stayers Questionnaire was given to all current DTTBs present in a Continuing Medical Education session in the Development Academy of the Philippines. Descriptive statistics were then presented. For the qualitative part, individual, semi-structured key informant interviews were conducted in-person or via phone with current and alumni DTTBs from 2012 to 2019. Proceedings of the interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed thematically. Results 102 current DTTBs participated in the quantitative part of our study, while 10 current and former DTTBs participated in the interviews. Demographic factors and location, personal beliefs, well-being, friends and family dynamics, and perceptions about work were the individual factors identified to affect retention. Social working conditions, career development, and infrastructure, medical equipment, and supplies were among the work factors identified to affect retention. Geography, living conditions, local social needs, and technology were among the local factors identified to affect retention. Compensation, the recently signed Universal Healthcare Law, and Safety and Security were identified as national factors that could affect retention. International factors did not seem to discourage DTTBs from staying in their communities. Conclusions A host of individual, work-related, local, national, and international factors influence the DTTB’s decision to be retained in different, complex, interconnected, and dynamic ways. We also identified implementation issues in the DTTB program and suggested interventions to encourage retention.


Author(s):  
Samantha Estrada

Family members who are trying to support their loved one are often overburdened with stress, and health issues. Research has shown that families who receive family psychosocial education and support can have a dramatic impact on recovery outcomes and their family’s overall well-being. Family psychoeducation is not common. Families Healing Together (FHT) is an online family mental health recovery program that was developed to address this critical gap in family mental health care services. Using an exploratory case study methodology to understand how the program’s philosophy and practice impacts the program’s participants as well as how the participants perceive the benefits and limitations of the program. Findings suggest that the strengths of the program lie in the individual customization of the program to the consumer as well as the underlying message of hope of the program.


Author(s):  
Mousumi Sethy ◽  
Reshmi Mishra

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has left few countries untouched. It is a far-reaching implication on humankind, with children and adolescents, being no exception. Although the prevalence and fatality are negligible among children, a possible impact on their psychological and mental health cannot be disregarded. The unprecedented change in the way of living is bound to be having some psychological consequences on children and adolescents. The experiences gathered in childhood and adolescence are known to contribute to shaping the physical, emotional, and social well-being in adult life. Children are highly susceptible to environmental stressors. The present situation has the potential of adversely affecting the physical and mental well-being of children. To save the children from the long term consequences of this pandemic, a holistic approach integrating biological, psychological, social and spiritual methods of enhancing mental health have become essential. A concerted effort of government, Non Government Organisations (NGOs), parents, teachers, schools, psychologists, counselors and physicians are required to deal with the mental health issues of children and adolescents. This paper discusses the possible role of these agencies in the holistic intervention of this crisis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Davison ◽  
T. Nagel ◽  
G. R. Singh

Mental health is fundamental to an individual’s health and well-being. Mental health disorders affect a substantial portion of the Australian population, with the most vulnerable time in adolescence and young adulthood. Indigenous Australians fare worse than other Australians on almost every measure of physical and mental health. Cross-sectional data from young adults (21–27 years) participating in the Life Course Program, Northern Territory, Australia, is presented. Rates of psychological distress were high in remote and urban residing Indigenous and urban non-Indigenous young adults. This rate was more pronounced in young women, particularly in Indigenous remote and urban residing women. Young adults with high psychological distress also had lower levels of positive well-being, higher perceived stress levels, experienced a higher number of major life events and were at an increased risk of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm. This study supports the need for a continued focus on early screening and treatment at this vulnerable age. The significant association seen between psychological distress and other markers of emotional well-being, particularly risk of suicidal ideation and/or self-harm, highlights the need for a holistic approach to mental health assessment and treatment. A concerted focus on improving the environs of young adults by lowering levels of stress, improving access to adequate housing, educational and employment opportunity, will assist in improving the emotional health of young adults.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 602-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya M. Caldwell ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm

Objective: The main objective of this paper was to investigate and compare mental health nurses' beliefs about interventions for schizophrenia and depression with those of psychiatrists and the public. Factors affecting nurses' beliefs were also investigated. Method: This research used methods employed in previous surveys of professional and public beliefs. A postal survey of 673 Australian mental health nurses was carried out. The survey was comprised of a vignette describing a person with either depression or schizophrenia. Participants rated whether particular medical, psychological and lifestyle interventions were helpful, harmful or neither. Factors examined included: nurses' age, sex, degree of contact with similar problems, work setting, level of highest qualification and whether their education was hospital-based or completed within the tertiary sector. Results: The nurses agreed with psychiatrists (but not the public) about the interventions most likely to be helpful, such as antidepressants for depression and antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia. However, there were many differences between nurses, psychiatrists and the public. Nurses were more likely than psychiatrists to believe that certain non-standard interventions such as vitamins, minerals and visiting a naturopath would be helpful. Nurses' beliefs tended to form a bridge between the attitudes of psychiatrists and the public for some of these non-standard interventions. Age, work setting and qualifications were related to nurses' intervention beliefs. Conclusions: Mental health practitioners need to be aware of a range of beliefs within mental health services. The acknowledgement of differing belief systems is important for high quality, integrated care.


2020 ◽  
pp. 096973302095210
Author(s):  
Carla Aparecida Arena Ventura ◽  
Wendy Austin ◽  
Bruna Sordi Carrara ◽  
Emanuele Seicenti de Brito

People with mental illness are subjected to stigma and discrimination and constantly face restrictions in the exercise of their political, civil and social rights. Considering this scenario, mental health, ethics and human rights are key approaches to advance the well-being of persons with mental illnesses. The study was conducted to review the scope of the empirical literature available to answer the research question: What evidence is available regarding human rights and ethical issues regarding nursing care to persons with mental illnesses? A scoping review methodology guided by Arksey and O’Malley was used. Studies were identified by conducting electronic searches on CINAHL, PubMed, SCOPUS and Hein databases. Of 312 citations, 26 articles matched the inclusion criteria. The central theme which emerged from the literature was “Ethics and Human Rights Boundaries to Mental Health Nursing practice”. Mental health nurses play a key and valuable role in ensuring that their interventions are based on ethical and human rights principles. Mental health nurses seem to have difficulty engaging with the ethical issues in mental health, and generally are dealing with acts of paternalism and with the common justification for those acts. It is important to open a debate regarding possible solutions for this ethical dilemma, with the purpose to enable nurses to function in a way that is morally acceptable to the profession, patients and members of the public. This review may serve as an instrument for healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to reflect about how to fulfil their ethical responsibilities towards persons with mental illnesses, protecting them from discrimination and safeguarding their human rights, respecting their autonomy, and as a value, keeping the individual at the centre of ethical discourse.


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