At the heart of recovery-oriented psychiatric mental health care are the dignity and respect of each person and the ways in which helping professionals convey a person's uniqueness, strengths, abilities, and needs. "Person-first language" is a form of linguistic expression relying on words that reflect awareness, a sense of dignity, and positive attitudes about people with disabilities. As such, person-first language places emphasis on the person first rather than the disability (e.g., "person with schizophrenia" rather than "a schizophrenic"). This article champions the use of person-first language as a foundation for recovery-oriented practice and enhanced collaborative treatment environments that foster respect, human dignity, and hope.
In the evolving health care environment, advanced practice opportunities for psychiatric-mental health nurses may lie in managed care models of community oriented primary health care. As providers, care managers, health promoters and educators, and client advocates with family systems expertise, psychiatric-mental health advanced practice specialists are a necessary component of all primary health care. This article describes the development of a community-based primary care practice that integrates physical and mental health care on the same site.
As changes in our health care system evolve, making the transition to greater parity of mental and physical health is paramount to move health care in the direction of prevention and health promotion. Although parity is the goal, the most feasible path to reaching it may lie in relinking mental health to physical health in managed care models of primary health care. This article identifies emerging directions in the mental health field and points to new opportunities for advancing the practice of psychiatricmental health nurses.
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