Real mental health promotion requires a reorientation of nursing education, practice and research

Abstract

The evidence for the individual, social and economic benefits of mental health promotion is now well established. The indication is that a broader public health approach that addresses social and environmental factors related to mental health and well-being is required. Mainstream mental health services, however, continue to operate in relative isolation, allocating the greatest proportion of funding and resources to the treatment of mental illness and disorder. Relevant to health promotion, this paper explores the bidirectional link between physical and mental health and the social determinants of mental health. The growing interest in the positive aspects of health and well-being which focuses on wellness rather than illness is also discussed. One example of how mental health nurses can adopt principles of positive mental health to education, practice and research is presented. The author proposes that as the largest professional group in health care, nurses must become more actively involved in initiatives that reorientate practices and services away from an illness culture towards the adoption of wider mental health promotion principles.

Investigating the Evidence for the Effectiveness of Risk Assessment in Mental Health Care

“…Weak social controls and the disruption of local community organisation have strong associations with increased rates of violent crime and suicide (WHO, 2004). Recognition that mental health problems occur universally, but are much more common among people with relative social disadvantage (Herman & Jane-Llopis, 2005) therefore requires a shift in policy, practice, and research away from a narrow biomedical approach toward a broader health promotion and public health perspective (Magyary, 2002;Wand, 2011).…”

Role of the mental health nurse towards physical health care in serious mental illness: An integrative review of 10 years of UK Literature

“…42% of participants lost weight). MHN educational preparation needs to change to match the requisite skills needed in practice (Wand 2011). Data was not reported on medication or medication changes of the participants.…”

An emergency department-based mental health nurse practitioner outpatient service: Part 1, participant evaluation

“…Fisher (2005) concurs that health promotion, illness prevention, and patient education incorporating a wellness approach is work that MHNP are well qualified to perform. Support for a shift in nursing practice and research away from an illness culture towards the adoption of broader public health and health‐promotion principles has also been raised more recently in the mental health nursing literature (McAllister 2010; Wand 2011; Woodhouse 2010).…”