Q&A: Important Aspects of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Q&A: Important Aspects of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Balancing essential nursing interventions with clinical content, Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 4th Edition, strikes the right equilibrium. This psychiatric text offers crucial information and key DSM-5 content needed by students for their course and NCLEX® preparation.

Chyllia D. Fosbre, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and new contributor to this title, shares her insights into educating future nurses about mental health.

How has psychiatric mental health nursing evolved over time?

Despite ongoing stigma, more voices are speaking up about mental health. Awareness and acceptance of mental health issues are growing. Nursing has always considered mental health within its holistic view, but organizations are now placing greater emphasis on improving mental health for employees and patients.

How can future nurses address mental health in patients and challenge stigma?

Talking openly about mental health is crucial. Avoiding such conversations only perpetuates stigma. Nurses should inquire if patients struggle with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts. Major health issues often accompany anxiety and depression. Nurses uniquely address mind, body, and spirit, fulfilling their duty to discuss mental health and promote it. Regardless of the setting, nurses must identify mental illness, fulfilling their professional responsibility.

What is a mental health assessment?

What challenges do nurses face in addressing mental health and how can classrooms better prepare students?

Personal fears about handling others’ mental health hinder progress. Addressing suicidal thoughts requires action. Comforting a crying, depressed patient can be uncomfortable. Classrooms should emphasize nursing’s compassionate presence and patient support.

Anxiety triggered during nursing school poses another challenge. Many students start anxiety or high blood pressure medication during nursing programs. Nursing is tough and stressful. Emotional regulation skills should be taught to foster resilience. Visualizations before tests and physical activities after intense lectures can help. Varied self-care skills should be introduced and practiced, mirroring how nursing skills are taught.

What advice do you offer faculty teaching psychiatric mental health to students?

In all nursing areas, mental health plays a role. Students face mental health issues. Nursing school stress can induce anxiety and depression. Recognize these in students, teach self-care, and model compassion to cultivate stronger nursing professionals.