Category: Mental health

Appropriate access to and maintenance of mental health among first-generation children of immigrants is currently limited by several systemic and personal factors. Currently, elements of economic disparities, the social stigma associated with poor mental health, and barriers to mental health resources and services influence the mental well-being of first-generation children. Interventions would have to be accessible, culturally sensitive, and adaptive to other interfering factors such as stigma, racism, or disparity in economic backgrounds.

Prevalence

The prevalence of issues associated with CBT and the treatment of frequently occurring issues among first-generation immigrants, which include anxiety, conduct, and ADHD disorders, is currently uncertain due to the lack of experimental and academic evidence and material. They have been noted to have increased rates of conduct, ADHD, and mood and anxiety disorders among younger populations seeking mental health (Gadermann et al., 2022). The data on mental health issues prevalence generally among immigrants and first-generation immigrants shows that mood and anxiety disorders are widespread (Casa et al., 2020). Besides, there are high rates of increased anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and other types of anxiety disorders among immigrants (Casa et al., 2020). Many versions explain the reasons for such statistics, and it is assumed that it depends on the change of residence. A new environment, language, mentality, and being far from home can be the root cause of these types of disorders.

Major Causes

Issues associated with mental well-being among first-generation immigrants are often related to external stressors. They are often reflective of pressures that have been placed on prior generations, usually their parents, and possess unique qualities and influences. The primary cause includes transcultural stressors, thus, the result of changing one’s environment (Kim et al., 2019). Children of immigrants and related populations are more likely to experience neighborhood disadvantages, economic disparity, and exposure to higher crime rates as factors that contribute to transcultural stressors within mental health. Culture-specific stressors relate to traumas, potential exposure to exploitation, discrimination, and other detrimental experiences that correlate directly with the development of mental health issues.

The next cause is connected with the cultural aspect, and similarly to the first one, it is connected with changes in one’s environment. Thereby, this cause lies in culture-specific stressors, in other words, changing the cultural environment (Kim et al., 2019). It includes significant differences in cultural traditions and principles of different peoples. Thus, when this environment changes, a person experiences significant discomfort, which can become a trigger for mental health issues.

Major Consequences

Much like the consequences, mental health issues among the children of immigrants present several consequences dictated by external and internal influences. These usually include the pressure to achieve familial and financial success, a multifaceted but potentially taxing identity, and detriment to well-being as a result of racism, discrimination, and other conflicts based on immigrant status. The consequences observed within the inner circles as well as social or systemic interactions of these populations have shown that mental health issues among the children of immigrants are almost twice as high as they were for their parents, with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders proving especially prevalent (Todd & Martin, 2020). Currently, CBT practices have been noted to be both successful in reducing symptoms in non-specific populations, but the approach toward children of immigrants remains largely unresearched. However, the consequences are formulated by irreparable changes in the mental state of an individual.

References

Casa, J. B., Benuto, L. T., & Gonzalez, F. (2020). Latinos, anxiety, and cognitive behavioral therapy: A systematic review. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 20(1), 91-104.

Gadermann, A. M. et al. (2022). Prevalence of mental health disorders among immigrant, refugee, and non-immigrant children and youth in British Columbia, Canada.JAMA Network Open, 5(2).

Kim, S., Schwartz, S. J., Perreira, K. M., & Juang, L. P. (2019). Culture’s influence on stressors, parental socialization, and developmental processes in the mental health of children of immigrants.Annual Review Clinical Psychology, 14(1), 343-370.

Todd, H. & Martin., E. (2020). Children of immigrants and their mental health needs. Think Global Health.

Mental health practice placement is very important for student nurses and clinicians and it includes working in the actual clinical setting to gain practical experience. This gives the students a chance to apply the skills and eventually attain the required competencies. Thinking about this caused me a lot of worry and anxiety. This is because this would be a time to test my skills and ability to work effectively and integrate theory into actual practice where people’s lives are involved. Anxiety comes in bearing in mind that I will have to work with experienced workers who will facilitate my work and later be assessed by my mentor. Sometimes it is not easy to employ theory in practice since it requires courage self-belief and a high level of intellect to put into practice the skills learned in class.

Looking back at my family and friends, so far I have not received comments from them regarding the mental health placement. I think that they are not sure of what to say because of the mixed information that they may have been receiving from other sources. The psychiatric or mental health program is usually designed to prepare students for specialist practice. However, many people believe that the theory does not offer or is not a reflection of the prevalent actions and complexity of the mental health problems in a population. Consequently, I feel my family has not been able to talk about it believing that this could break my heart.

I think that many of my friends think that this is a very hard task because it requires greater preparation. However, I also feel that their worry is warranted because, in the past, I have heard stories of novices or student learners who were unable to provide appropriate mental health care during placement. Sometimes this heightens the problems that many mentally sick individuals face, that of stigmatization.

While on placement, my view of mental health nursing has been that this chance provides students with an opportunity to integrate theory into real practice. Currently, students need to be prepared sufficiently for the modern world. The quality of care given has to be high and ethics or legal concerns have to be addressed as well so that the patients’ rights are not violated. To accomplish all these, mentorship should be highly encouraged.

My work has positively impacted me. As I ventured into it, I knew that placement was a chance for me to gain experience. It is pertinent that I take a keen interest to reflect on the nature of providing care in the actual work setting. This gave me the experience to address the mental healthcare need and other demands of this type of work. Therefore the support to be granted by me cannot be over-emphasized.

I want to learn a lot of things while on placement in a clinical facility. The most important thing I would love to learn is clinical judgment in mental healthcare. This is a very essential skill and reflection on practice is useful in helping practitioners to make a clinically sound judgment. Judgment in clinical practice is very complex but by use of the reflection process, learning from experience enhances this and it will eventually expand my knowledge. Critical reflection would be very important for me but I also know that this requires a positive attitude and readiness to seriously analyze and understand my relationship with the results.

My experiences in the mental health setting were amazing. I learned that many of the practitioners enjoyed and valued involvement in education for the new nurses and psychiatrists. As a result, they provided positive teaching support and a convenient learning experience which allowed me to acquire essential knowledge and skills for me to be competent in mental health practice. I, therefore, learned methods of examining the mental state of clients, the various intervention processes, the process of client engagement, and better communication skills. Other clinicians were committed to the provision of quality assistance to me on my placement hence they spent more time with me and used extra effort to teach me. Being able to remain the professional line was very useful based on the complexity and diversity that come with mental health care.

Introduction

There is no doubt that self-care remains one of the most important notions connected to the spheres of social work and healthcare. Speaking about self-care, it is necessary to say that the notion includes anything related to physical and mental health that can be controlled by the person. Therefore, the significance of self-care cannot be overstated as it can be called a basis of health condition. Realizing the importance of such activity, many specialists extend their knowledge on the principles of self-care to be ready to consult their clients effectively. Thus, it is necessary to discuss certain attributes of the self-care that can be called the most important to success in the counseling relationships.

Improving the quality of life and improving their self-management skills

To begin with, promoting self-care and giving an advisory opinion concerning it, the specialist has to attract the clients’ attention to the fact that they are unable to achieve a better quality of life without improving their skills at self-management (Pulvirenti, McMillan, & Lawn, 2014). Also, there is a variety of approaches that can be used to improve self-care, and it is essential to introduce the client to all of them. The approaches include the use of different regular exercise programs, diets, the proper and regular use of medicinal drugs or folk remedies, and stopping bad habits. In this connection, it is also necessary to remember that self-care should be performed based on the specific situation of the client, and the specialist needs to know everything that should be taken into consideration during counseling.

As for the concept of supervision and mentoring connected to personal theory development, I suppose that this question seems to be easier than it is. On the one hand, mentoring remains an extremely important measure applied in different spheres as it allows one to encourage people to do necessary things that they would prefer to ignore (Knott & Scragg, 2016, p. 40). On the other hand, some clients would like to feel that they are not urged to do something and the intention to yield advice is their own decision. Nevertheless, it often happens that people lack knowledge of the concepts of self-care and the particular diseases and disorders that they suffer from; in such cases, self-medication about the specialist’s advice is not enough for success. Instead, due to people’s lack of specific education, mentoring needs to be regarded as a necessary step in any work connected to mental and physical health. Developing the personal theory, it is necessary to consider the importance of supervision that cannot be substituted by another practice because many people are just unable to do necessary things regularly if nobody controls them. In such a way, their problems may become even more serious and it means that supervision is critical for success in the majority of cases.

Conclusion

Also, it is necessary to discuss the specific personal qualities that help people to develop their therapeutic-selves. The latter involves people’s ability to define and take measures that will help them to mitigate or even estrange the negative consequences of their problem. To begin with, such development is almost impossible if the person lacks self-confidence. I am sure that this quality is critical because its absence encourages the person to see no opportunities to address the issue. Besides, it is important to develop self-control because an ability to help yourself is closely connected to making yourself do the things that are necessary and avoiding doing the things that seem to be more attractive but may deteriorate the situation.

References

Knott, C., & Scragg, T. (2016). Reflective practice in social work. London, UK: Learning Matters.

Pulvirenti, M., McMillan, J., & Lawn, S. (2014). Empowerment, patient-centred care and self-management. Health Expectations, 17(3), 303-310.

Mental Health Project Proposal: Background

Young people who ‘age out’ of foster care are often forced to leave the same place they had known as home and step into an uncertain environment. The security that often comes with the foster care is no longer available since such young people are expected to live autonomously. Without proper help (e.g. through income earning opportunities), the young people face significant barriers in the social and environmental transition, something that makes them vulnerable to multiple healthcare concerns (English, Stinnett and Dunn-Georgiou 1).

Many such young adults find themselves “with little, if any, financial, medical, or social support”, and as a result, many are prone to criminality, mental illnesses, and inability to function independently and productively in society (Bruskas 71).

Generally, young people who have aged out of foster care register “compromised health; mental disorders; substance abuse; sexual risk behaviors; pregnancy; physical and sexual abuse; and malnourishment” (English et al. 2).

Most of the identified health issues jeopardize the young people’s ability to integrate well with the rest of the society, and in most cases, it also affects their sense of worthiness. The aforementioned factors lead to poor mental health, which is made evident by the high rates of depression, and other mental disorders among young adults who have aged out of foster care.

Notably, some of the issues that pose increasing challenges to the subject young people include the lack of income earning opportunities especially because their education levels are insufficient to get well paying blue collar jobs; those who would wish to pursue further education lack the financial support to do so; those who have income lack the knowledge to manage their finances well.

Having lived in foster care for the better part of their childhood, most young adults lack housekeeping skills, while those on medication usually fail to manage their daily doses of medication as ordered by the doctor. To improve their situations in the above identified areas, this project seeks to recruit qualified professionals who can counsel and guide the young people, hence helping them become better equipped at handling the social and mental challenges that come their way.

The project is inspired by the revelation that young people who have mental challenges or illnesses find it difficult to find “services that aid in the transition into adulthood” (Government Accountability Office 2).

Finding affordable and age-appropriate housing, getting decent and fairly well paying jobs and becoming socially included in their host communities are specific areas that pose challenges to young people who have aged out of foster care (Government Accountability Office 2; Pecora 5). Such challenges contribute further to the worsening of their mental health since the stress of day-to-day living can at times overwhelm them physically and/or emotionally.

Project Proposal on Mental Health Awareness: Scope

For the above-proposed project to become feasible, the following essential consideration areas will require the team’s attention.

• Finding professional guidance and counseling personnel. Specifically, the program will need:
  • A life coach, who can offer supportive guidance and counseling services to the target young people and where need be, meet them at their individual residential settings;
  • A master therapist with adequate knowledge regarding mental and social health.
• Deciding the kind of supportive services best suited to help the target group. Specifically, supportive service for people suffering from mental illnesses and social challenges will be vital for the program to have a lasting effect. Some of the services that may be needed in this area include:
  • Affordable and safe transitional houses;
  • College education vacancies for those who would like to pursue further studies;
  • Employment for those who are willing to start earning income;
  • Mental and overall health services;
  • Substance abuse (rehabilitation) services for those willing to quit their drug use habits. It will also be important for the project to equip the targeted group with independent living skills such as financial management, cooking, and cleaning skills.
• Identifying and adopting a strategy that will help the target group transition from foster care into young responsible adulthood. Some of the considerations in these areas include availing social opportunities to the young people, and educating and informing members of the society about their role in supporting the target group integrate in the community successfully.

Mental Health Proposal: Methods

This project will use a strength-based model, and as such, will focus on how the guidance and counseling practitioners can assist the target young people to collaborate with their peers, families, and the community with the aim of overcoming some of the challenges encountered during the transition from foster homes into the larger communities.

According to (Rangan 127), a strength-based model “involves systematically examining survival skills, abilities, knowledge, resources and desires that can be used in some way to help meet the client goals”. Following this description, this project will seek to:

1. Build on the young people’s potential and help them attain a sense of self worthiness;
2. Encourage them to attain set personal goals;
3. Encourage them to attain highest possible independence levels;
4. Encourage them to integrate well in communities.

The project will also focus on identifying the untapped gifts, the positive attributes, and any underdeveloped capabilities in the targeted young people. By helping reveal such gifts, attributes and capabilities, the project is convinced that most such people will have a different (but positive) perspective of who they are.

Additionally, the program developer is convinced that such changes in self-perception will boost the confidence of individual people in the targeted group. Consequently, the program will have aided the young people overcome some of the factors contributing to poor mental health.

Mental Health Project Proposal: Project Management

In addition to identifying and orienting the guidance and counseling professionals (two life coaches and a master therapist) who will be involved in this project, the following activities will take place. They include:

• Identifying 30 young people who have outgrown foster care and who have subsequently started the process of integrating into the society. Participation will be voluntary, and program results and findings will not be published in a manner that exposes participants to ridicule or make them the subject to stereotypes.
• Assess all the 30 participants and identify their capabilities, talents, and the main mental and/or social challenges that they encounter as they strive to integrate into the larger society.
• Identify goals that each project participant has, and develop a flexible plan for achieving the same. This activity will include recognizing challenges faced by individual participant and devising methods to overcome the same.
• Team members, and the professionals hired for this project will encourage the project participants to be part of informal peer networks, or any existing formal networks in their host or local communities. Such encouragement will aim at enhancing the participants’ ability to overcome social challenges.

Work Distribution Plan

The four-team members will take on the following roles:

Majed Ismael (Psychologist Project Manager)

Caxton Junior (Team Member)

Jared Senior (Team Member)

Kim Young (Team Member)

Project Schedule

For a program running for a year, constant meetings may be too demanding for the team members and the professionals involved. However, seeing that the project will be localized in Brevard County, team members will seek clarification from the project manager whenever they deem it necessary. Physical meetings will also be scheduled whenever the need to do so arises.

With the availability of information technology platforms however, discussing issues affecting the project will be done through such platforms. The main physical meetings as indicated above will include the four activities documented above, which include assessment, planning, interim evaluation, and final evaluation. Some of the aforementioned activities may require more than one physical meeting, which will be scheduled based on the necessity of the same.

Project Proposal on Mental Health Awareness: Conclusion

As indicated in the introductory part of this proposal, young people who age-out of foster care are exposed to challenges that may affect their overall wellbeing, and most especially their mental health. This proposal is, thus, intended to equip such young people with coping skills that will not only enable them integrate well into society, but will also enhance their mental wellbeing.

The project management section above indicates the major activities of the project, and if the program schedule proceeds as conceptualized, it would be expected that most of the foster care alumni involved in the project will be mentally healthier, and full of social skills to face the larger society once the project ends.

Works Cited

Bruskas, Delilah. “Children in Foster Care: a Vulnerable Population at Risk.”Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing 21.2 (2008): 70-77. Print.

English, Abigail, Amy Stinnett and Elisha Dunn-Georgiou. “Healthcare for Adolescents and Young Adults Leaving Foster Care: Policy Options for Improving Access.” Issue Brief- Center for Adolescent Health & the Law, Feb. (2006): 1-8. Print.

Government Accountability Office. 2008. Young Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses. PDF file. Web.

Pecora, Peter, Peter Jensen, Lisa Hunter Romanelli, Lovie Jackson and Abel Ortiz. “Mental Health Services for Children Placed in Foster Care: An Overview of Current Challenges.” Child Welfare 88.1(2009): 5-26. Print.

Rangan, Aarti Sekar. 2006. Strengths perspectives in Mental Health (Evidence Based Case Study).PDF file. Web.

The decision-making process related to the treatment of patients with complex conditions is the responsibility of multidisciplinary teams. However, to make the correct decisions for individual patients, the hospitals need to ensure the active participation of all their members at the meetings. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to reveal the leadership and management patterns in nursing in the context of inter-professional working applicable to the chosen case. It also seeks to examine the current policies related to the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the UK as well as the role of multidisciplinary teams in improving the condition of such patients.

One of the principal concepts used in nursing is leadership, which is essential in terms of the case study (see Appendix A). Its importance is defined by the lack of leaders among nurses due to the absence of the required qualities (Cabral et al., 2019). However, to successfully participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, specific leadership skills are essential as they also contribute to the creation of good relationships with other team members (Fast and Rankin, 2017). Senior nurses play a significant role in the successful execution of delegated tasks by monitoring the actions of other nurses (Van Hecke, 2019). Hence, the ability to be a leader in the decision-making process related to the treatment of the patient with oropharyngeal dysphagia would contribute to its better outcome through enhanced cooperation of medical personnel.

The concept of leadership is complemented by the proper management of human resources at multidisciplinary team meetings. It allows the participants to provide high-quality services for the patient as it is crucial for her safety (Orton et al., 2019). Moreover, the effectiveness of the management of the personnel correlates with the effectiveness of the whole treatment and the decrease in time the patient would spend at the hospital (Orton et al., 2019). Hence, nurses should participate actively as they must encourage teams to overcome the arising challenges connected to the patient’s behavior (Nobbs, 2018). Their participation at all management levels is one of the critical factors of the consequent success of the chosen treatment (Cabral et al., 2019). Therefore, proper management would improve the experience of both nurses and the patient.

The combination of leadership and management allows medical personnel to achieve better results in treatment. Hence, the motivation of the multidisciplinary team members, together with effective coordination of available resources, is the best approach in terms of developing a strategy of medical assistance (Cummings et al., 2018). The choice of management style would also be conditional upon organisational goals (Rubio and Picardo, 2017). As for leadership skills, they include strategic thinking and the ability to make decisions and assume responsibility for the hospital’s nursing units (Cabral et al., 2019). However, in order to succeed, it is vital to consider the patient’s needs and opinions towards the issue (Cardiff et al., 2018). Therefore, the person-centred approach would be an excellent complement to the chosen strategy treatment and allow medical staff to achieve better results.

To implement the approach, which includes the concepts of leadership and management at the multidisciplinary team meeting, it is essential to consider various theories related to them. The primary theory applicable to the case is Fiedler’s contingency theory, and it highlights the importance of the choice of leadership style for the achievement of specific objectives (Rubio and Picardo, 2017). Hence, it would be necessary to match the patient’s condition and the chosen therapy (see Appendix A) with a suitable leadership style. This approach would allow creating the conditions for the delivery of care (Mororó et al., 2017). In this way, the leadership qualities of personnel would contribute to a better outcome.

Another management theory applicable to the case is the theory X and Y of Douglas McGregor. It represents the idea of a combination of the opposite methods. Thus, the authoritative approach with strict supervision is mixed with the use of specific soft tools such as motivation of team members intended to increase their productivity (Rubio and Picardo, 2017). This theory contributes to the proper distribution of tasks between the participants (Management of inpatient oro-pharyngeal dysphagia policy, 2019). Its implementation would allow medical personnel to benefit from the existing mechanisms of control over nurses and other specialists and motivate them to participate in the process.

As the essential task of multidisciplinary team work is to ensure the participation of all its members, the applicable leadership models would be focused on combining their efforts. The example of such a model is transformational leadership, which requires the presence of a charismatic leader who motivates others to achieve the common goal (McCay, Lyles and Larkey, 2018). The fundamental component of this model is the mutual respect of all members of the multidisciplinary team, which allows providing high-quality medical services shared between specialists (Fast and Rankin, 2017). This approach suits the case of the patient with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Another option is the ethical leadership theory, which requires the inclusion of ethics in the work of team leaders. They are supposed to consider the interests of all actors in the matter, meanwhile demonstrating the essential leadership qualities, such as integrity and honesty (Jambawo, 2018). This approach is also typical for patients with mental issues. It corresponds to the necessity to engage medical personnel at all levels in the decision-making process (Thusini and Mingay, 2019). In the case of ethical leadership, both leaders and followers are valued, and their needs are respected.

The use of the mentioned theories and models is possible with the adoption of a uniform leadership style. As the patient, Alice is suffering from oropharyngeal dysphagia (see Appendix A), which is a complex condition that might result in further complications, the leadership style should be complex as well. Hence, the employment of distributed leadership corresponds to the case due to the opportunity to delegate the tasks to various specialists (Beirne, 2017). It also allows eliminating possible risks of incivility between nurses (Kaiser, 2017). Such an innovative approach would contribute to the mutual understanding between all team members and the clear vision of one’s responsibilities.

Distributed leadership is beneficial in terms of consideration of all the activities and interrelations between the members of a multidisciplinary team. It allows them not only to distribute the tasks among the participants but also to pay attention to the existing leadership roles in the organisation (Feng et al., 2017). It is critical for maintaining the high quality of medical services and ensuring the best outcome possible for the health status of a patient (Sfantou et al., 2017). These benefits are conditional upon the recognition of available talent in the organisation and the tasks, which correspond to the team members (Beirne, 2017). Hence, distributed leadership would be the best option for the multidisciplinary team considering the case of Alice.

As for the management, it should combine the theories mentioned above and benefit from the increase in cooperation they provide. The implementation of the theory X and Y proposed by Douglas McGregor would ensure higher flexibility of the existing relationships between the medical personnel in the organisation (Rubio and Picardo, 2017). The idea of task distribution included in this theory provides for the active participation of all team members. Together with Fiedler’s contingency theory, it would create more opportunities to express the opinions of the medical personnel. The implementation of distributed leadership complements these theories, and the type of management employed for finding a solution for the patient would be described as democratic.

The condition of Alice is characterised by a delayed swallow and significant signs of post swallow residue and aspiration (see Appendix A). It requires the medical interventions of various specialists and makes a multidisciplinary team the best option for the treatment of this patient (Dziewas et al., 2017). The current policies of the UK distinguish the roles and responsibilities for all of the team members (Management of inpatient oro-pharyngeal dysphagia policy, 2019). Thus, the executives in the team would be the medical director and chief nurse, whose task is to distribute the responsibilities among the participants.

In addition to the personnel responsible for such distribution, it is necessary to monitor the compliance of other members with the course of action. It would be the responsibility of clinical managers and directors as well as heads of service and ward sisters (Management of inpatient oro-pharyngeal dysphagia policy, 2019). They would be able to eliminate the conflicts resulting from different opinions of the multidisciplinary team members regarding the chosen treatment (Rubio and Picardo, 2017). In this way, the unanimity of all medical personnel at different levels will be reached.

The principal tasks related to the work with Alice should be distributed between other specialists in the hospital. The registered nursing staff contributes to the success of the treatment by timely conducting the required screening of the patient to reveal the tendencies in her condition (Management of inpatient oro-pharyngeal dysphagia policy, 2019). This task is extremely important due to the possibility of further complications.

These complications are conditional upon the limited functionality of the patient’s body. Further issues might result from the improper coordination of the work of the oral cavity and pharynx muscles (Sasegbon and Hamdy, 2017). The nurses should also make decisions considering the necessity of changes in Alice’s nutrition and hydration to avoid the risk feeding leading to pneumonia and, consequently, death of the patient (McHutchison et al., 2018). From all the foregoing, it is clear that registered screening nurses play a significant role in the prevention of further complications.

Another category of specialists involved in the treatment process is various speech and language therapists ensuring the suitability of the chosen strategy for Alice. Their responsibilities include the timely assessments of the therapy results, the provision of Alice’s family with current information on her state, as well as training of other healthcare professionals involved in the process (Management of inpatient oro-pharyngeal dysphagia policy, 2019). The importance of speech and language therapists and managers is defined by the necessity to coordinate all the actions of the multidisciplinary team for a better outcome (McGinnis et al., 2018). The participation of all the members of the multidisciplinary team mentioned above would allow decreasing the time Alice would spend at the hospital and ensuring her safety during the treatment.

The training of the medical staff focused on dealing with such a condition as oropharyngeal dysphagia is crucial for the wellbeing of the patient and her quality of life. The organisational factors related to hospital procedures and included in such training would decrease the risks for Alice as this condition tends to develop into aspiration pneumonia, the second leading cause of death in the country (Attrill et al., 2018). If the medical personnel can timely identify, assess, and manage the people with oropharyngeal dysphagia, the results of the treatment will be better (Management of inpatient oro-pharyngeal dysphagia policy, 2019). It explains the usefulness of a multidisciplinary team approach in the case of this condition.

There is a lot of specificities that need to be considered while making decisions on the treatment suitable for Alice, and the cooperation of various specialists would be beneficial in this case. To avoid potential harm, a thorough examination of the patient in all of the possible aspects is needed. Thus, for example, the UK recommendations include information on the medications suitable for the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia (Wright, Smithard, and Griffith, 2020). However, their choice, compatibility with other methods, and the dosage are defined on a case-by-case basis. This circumstance also reflects the usefulness of patient-centred care in the case of Alice (McGinnis et al., 2018). Hence, the participation of all members of the multidisciplinary team would allow making the correct choice of treatment methods with orientation on Alice’s needs.

The role of a multidisciplinary team is not limited by a set of measures intended to maintain and improve the quality of life of Alice. One of its principal objectives refers to the task of decreasing the risk of readmission to the hospital due to the development of such conditions as chest infection or pneumonia (Duncan et al., 2019). It is vital in the case of the patient as she already demonstrated the warning symptoms such as weight loss (Dysphagia, 2018). The situation highlights the necessity of the interventions of a multidisciplinary team to eliminate the risks of malnutrition. In the case of Alice, it would also be necessary for the medical personnel to inform her about the possible consequences of food refusal.

The proper management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia is a challenging task for a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists. The initial prescription of treatment is insufficient in terms of improving the condition of patients like Alice. The complex measures also include regularity of meetings for the purpose of reassessing the changes in the patient’s state after implementing the screening, evaluation, and treatment for further decision-making (McGinnis et al., 2018). In the case of the emergence of other symptoms indicating the worsening of Alice’s condition, it would be necessary to re-evaluate the chosen strategy of treatment (Duncan et al., 2019). Therefore, the Interprofessional approach is the most flexible and efficient one for the patient.

Taking into account the information given above, it can be concluded that the only possible option to find a proper treatment for Alice is the creation of a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists. It is defined by the existing risk of poor nutritional status of the patient resulting from her behaviour (Dziewas et al., 2017). Moreover, the researchers proved that such an approach is extremely efficient in the case of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia like Alice (Mata et al., 2018). They are less likely to seek additional treatment after the end of the prescribed therapy (Mata et al., 2018). Thus, the multidisciplinary practice provides for better results in the case of oropharyngeal dysphagia and, therefore, would be beneficial for Alice.

The coordination of actions of the multidisciplinary team members requires the creation of positive relationships between the medical specialists as well as with the patient. The principal objective is to achieve a mutual understanding between the nurses and Alice in accordance with the theory of patient-centred care (McGinnis et al., 2018). It leads to the necessity to implement the relationship theory, which highlights the significance of caring and orientation on the other team members and their prevalence over the traditional hierarchical roles in the organisation (Cardiff, McCormack and McCance, 2018). This approach is known as relational leadership, and it provides the opportunity to find a balance between the objectives and the people’s opinions.

As can be seen from the description given above, this type of leadership promotes the creation of positive relationships that are important for Interprofessional cooperation. The understanding of the common purpose by all of the members of the multidisciplinary teams with consideration of Alice’s view of her condition would allow achieving the agreement on further actions (Cleary et al., 2018). However, in order to implement this type of leadership, it is necessary to ensure support from all of the team members for the improved outcome (Cummings et al., 2018). Therefore, the task for the medical personnel is to involve Alice in the discussion by demonstrating respect to her opinion.

Once the agreement between the nurses and the patient is reached, it is possible to demonstrate the shared vision of the team of specialists on the possible ways of overcoming the emerging issues. The higher the support of all participants is, the better the outcome of the treatment for Alice would be (McCay, Lyles, and Larkey, 2018). This conclusion shows the importance of building connections for implementing the leadership role in the context of an organisation (Pappas and McCauley, 2018). The process of shared decision-making in the case of the patient who refuses to eat the prescribed food would be a good opportunity to demonstrate respect for her choice and negotiate the ways to improve her condition.

The employment of the existing leadership models and management theories described above would be beneficial for me as a qualified nurse. The principal challenge is the acquisition of specific leadership qualities that would allow me to make correct choices considering the conditions of patients. However, it is not limited by the traditional approach to leadership, which is authoritative in nature (Rubio and Picardo, 2017). What is more important, a qualified nurse should be able to promote the correct decisions in such a way that it takes into account the opinion of the patient (McGinnis et al., 2018). Hence, the responsibility of a nurse is to find the approach that would allow coordinating her actions with the needs of patients.

The information on the work of multidisciplinary teams with the use of specific leadership and management techniques is critical for my future career as a mental health nurse. From the case of Alice, I learnt about the importance of collaboration in the context of the treatment of patients with complex issues. The example of the successful application of theories and models related to the work of multidisciplinary teams would contribute to my professional success as a mental health nurse in the future. This experience also allowed me to expand my knowledge of the common practices of multidisciplinary teams and demonstrated the necessity to develop leadership skills. Such skills would contribute to the creation of positive relationships with my colleagues and patients as well as their families.

However, not all the experience of medical personnel and their patients can be characterised as positive. The organisation of work at hospitals and its proper management is significantly influenced by the human factor, which sometimes leads to malfunction of the healthcare system. Thus, for example, serious concerns about the quality of nursing in the UK were demonstrated by the Francis report (Bradshaw, 2017). According to it, the nurses failed to provide the required services to their patients and ignored their obligations. This case demonstrates the behaviour of nurses who lack compassion, which is an essential part of soft leadership skills. The report also presents the recommendations for improvements corresponding to the leadership theories mentioned above to ensure the proper quality of nursing care.

In conclusion, the case of Alice, a patient with oropharyngeal dysphagia who refuses to follow the doctor’s prescriptions, requires the implementation of complex measures. It is a clear example of the situation that can be solved only with the intervention of a multidisciplinary team of medical specialists. The distribution of tasks among the hospital personnel at different levels, together with the employment of relational leadership style and democratic management would allow improving the condition of Alice. The evidence from numerous studies proves the efficiency of multidisciplinary teams of medical specialists in terms of the creation of positive relationships for a better outcome of the treatment. Thus, the principal condition of their successful work is the inclusion of both patients and all team members in the process and the collaborative development of solutions.

Reference List

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Introduction

I want to create a persuasive that will increase the rate of college students seeking treatment for mental health.

Goal

The goal of the campaign is to destigmatize, educate, encourage, and stimulate mental health aid for students on campus. The primary objective is to increase mental health service utilization by students. This can be measured on a quarterly basis via statistics from student counseling services as well as potential private providers if they are willing to share general data regarding the number of students utilizing these professional services and whether there is a percentage increase from previous years and quarter over quarter. Measures such as unique patients as well as repeated visits can be helpful.

Another secondary goal is to make mental health aid more accepted in the student community, so even though a student may not need aid at the time, they would be willing to consider it or recommend it to their friends at times of need. Something like this can be measured through a self-response survey measuring attitudes via scales. Overall, mental health is a complex topic, so stimulating mental health service utilization is a difficult topic. It is not a one or even two-step action. For most people, it is an in-depth evaluation and consideration of their behaviors and needs. Therefore, the approach has to be wholesome to include education about it, starting public discourse, and reducing stigma around the topic. The goal is for students to feel comfortable and actually utilize mental health services in situations where they feel something is wrong or unusual about their mental state.

Target Audience

The primary target audience is the students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as this is where the author of this campaign attends. The topic is also directly aimed at college-level students, so anyone attending any type of college (community, part-time, full-time) as well as more advanced education programs (master’s and Ph.D.) can benefit. The campaign is aimed at students in academic settings of all types. As a relatively large school, it is likely that there are students that fall into the statistics discussed above that suffer from a mental health condition and are reluctant or unsure how to receive psychiatric help. The level of emotional and mental disturbance plays an essential role as well. There are spikes in decreasing mental health rates among international students, those who are targeted by bullying, and those who are adjusting to college workloads (Bouchrika, 2020). While not all students are equally in the risk zone, the current situation with high-stress levels from COVID-19 and lockdowns puts everyone under pressure and makes professional counseling more essential than ever.

Revision

To answer the issues that were highlighted in my previous paper, I made several changes to some of its parts. First of all, I updated the statistics on mental health issues among college students that reveal prevalent factors and disorders (“2020 mental health in America – Youth data,” n.d.). Furthermore, I changed the data regarding the levels of mental health disturbance, as the statistics that I have found reveal a low percentage of students with emotional disturbance who are being sent to a proper support program. I have also changed the discussion of the relevance of mental health disturbance to highlight that some groups are placed under higher pressure that leads to an increased chance of developing a mental health issue.

Causes and Barriers

There are several key issues that must be considered when creating a mental health campaign. This type of social marketing that draws attention to an issue that was stigmatized in society for generations remains troublesome, as many students prefer to avoid revealing their feelings that they consider embarrassing. This fact is revealed in the low number of students who decided to seek help from a mental health specialist in the past year (“2020 mental health in America – Youth data,” n.d.). Moreover, the availability of a support group within their local educational facility may be lacking, with on-campus services often being deemed as insufficient (Bouchrika, 2020). Some students also have no means of getting information regarding the mental health services available to them, making alternative options for advertisement vital for consideration (Bouchrika, 2020). Bullying that continues to exist within the boundaries of some educational facilities can prevent students from using mental health services due to fears of being ostracized for such behavior (Bouchrika, 2020). These barriers must be adequately dealt with within the campaign’s scope.

Previous Campaign #1: Each Mind Matters

Description

The campaign that was created by the California Mental Health Services Authority aims to cover a vast majority of mental health issues through a complex network of services and associations. Its primary goal is to help others create a social safety net by providing free space to share one’s troubling thoughts, discuss life challenges and other adverse experiences (“Mental health,” n.d.). With the lack of focus on a particular issue, this campaign attempts to reach as many people as possible to normalize talking about one’s mental health with friends, relatives, and specialists alike. Throughout the years, this campaign has involved a number of volunteers, both individuals and organizations, in hosting events that aimed to assist people who experience stress, anxiety, depression, and other problems.

Strengths

“Each Mind Matters” was able to cover a variety of mental health topics and invite many specialists that were willing to help people in trouble. It allowed many others to acknowledge that everyone can participate in helping those who find themselves struggling with mental health issues (“Mental health,” n.d.). It also provided a collection of useful tips available to those who experience distress that could alleviate the issue through self-help (Moore, 2019). Its example shows the importance of wide coverage and assistance with connecting people with those who have similar experiences or are willing to provide help.

Weaknesses

The campaign has received heavy criticism after it garnered sufficient attention from mental health experts and advocates. Despite the well-placed intentions to assist those who suffer from mental health disorders, the campaign did little to nothing positive for those who experience more serious issues with their psyche (Moore, 2019). The letters that followed the article published by Moore provided an inside view of this campaign, further highlighting the issues with disregard toward people with severe mental health issues. Some participants who received help from this campaign were left on their own after a short interaction that did not provide any long-term solution to their problems (“How can every mind matter in a broken mental health system?,” 2019). To avoid getting stuck on a similar issue, I will attempt to cover all types of mental health issues, ranging from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia. Moreover, some cases require a direct intervention and will be addressed to a sufficiently qualified specialist.

Previous Campaign #2: Beneath the Surface

Description

The University of Wisconsin has launched a suicide awareness and prevention campaign called “Beneath the Surface” several years ago with the intention to increase student visits to counseling specialists. Its aim is to help others with acknowledging their issues and help others with dealing with theirs (Schlosser, 2021). The campaign specifically targeted students who were hiding their mental health issues instead of seeking help.

Strengths

This campaign succeeds at identifying and addressing the major topic that is otherwise often left without sufficient attention from the general public. The campaign does not only target troubled students but also ushers their friends to provide a helping hand when it is needed the most. Through motivational posters, signs, and similar message delivery systems it has successfully drawn public attention to the issue, causing an increase in visits to the local counseling center (Schlosser, 2021). I can use this campaign’s strategy to make advertising material more engaging and relevant to the target population.

Weaknesses

While the campaign’s outcome had a positive impact on students’ willingness to seek help, there is an issue with such an approach. Students who are hiding their depression and anxiety from others may have little to no social support among their peers and, in some cases, even be ostracized for their perceived weakness. This campaign relies on mutual help and motivation, while individuals in the direst situations may have no such luxury. In my campaign, I would abstain from transferring the duty of assisting those who are in need to people who may have no experience entirely by providing links to professional counseling services.

Previous Campaign #3: Know the Signs

Description

This campaign was also organized by the California Mental Health Services Authority, yet it had a more specific target audience, scope, and approach in comparison with “Each Mind Matters.” The goal of the campaign is to increase suicide awareness and provide knowledge for Californians to help individuals who appear to be suicidal. The website shares essential warning signs for different age categories, gives suggestions on how to begin a conversation on such a difficult topic, and ushers people to help others in a mindful way (“Know the Signs,” n.d.). Despite being a relatively old campaign, it remains up-to-date with modern mental health practices.

Strengths

The website created for this campaign has appealing visuals that make understanding an otherwise complex message that it attempts to deliver easy to comprehend. The positive messages that are presented among the possible talk points do not discuss suicide or its methods directly, neither do they depict the consequences of suicide in an attempt to scare people into helping others (Acosta & Ramchand, 2014). Moreover, the signs that are discussed in the campaign are based on the scientific evidence that was compiled by experts in this field (Acosta & Ramchand, 2014). Following this example, I will seek evidence that can be incorporated into my campaign to make it more accurate. I believe that sending only positive messages is also beneficial to any campaign.

Weaknesses

There are several weaknesses that prevent this campaign from reaching its full potential. The website, while highly useful, does not explain that not all listed methods are applicable to all individuals who find themselves struggling with their will to live. Some of its messages are too general, while others may appear unconvincing or outdated. Some signs that are listed among pointers toward suicidal behavior may be irrelevant in the context where such a discussion is held. I would like to show correlations between reasons that may point toward hidden mental health issues.

Conclusion

The campaigns presented in this paper provide a significant knowledge base that would be ideal for supporting the campaign outlined in the first paper. The outtakes from the strengths of these campaigns highlight several crucial ideas that add value to an initiative. First and foremost, the message must be easy to comprehend and delivered in an appealing way that would draw attention from the general public. Moreover, the depth of the messages must remain appropriate to the topic and the audience, with the most complex cases addressed by professionals.

These campaigns present valuable data regarding the methods of information delivery systems. They successfully convey the necessity to utilize persuasion techniques whose efficiency is supported by evidence. At the same time, they point out that not all channels of communication are equally beneficial for establishing a connection with the target population. Changing one’s beliefs regarding mental health issues is a challenging task that would require accurately tailored messages regarding the topic that would not draw attention to its negative aspects.

References

2020 mental health in America – Youth data. (n.d.). Mental Health America. Web.

Acosta, J., & Ramchand, R. (2014). “Know the Signs” suicide prevention media campaign is aligned with best practices and highly regarded by experts. RAND Corporation. Web.

Bouchrika, I. 50 current student stress statistics: 2020/2021 data, analysis & predictions. Research.com. Web.

How can every mind matter in a broken mental health system? (2019). The Guardian. Web.

Know the Signs. (n.d.). Suicide Prevention Awareness. Web.

Mental health. (n.d.). Each Mind Matters – California’s Mental Health Movement. Web.

Moore, S. (2019). We are in the midst of a mental health crisis – advice about jogging and self-care is not enough. The Guardian. Web.

Schlosser, L. (2021). UWO ‘Beneath the surface’ suicide prevention campaign: Pain not always visible. UW Oshkosh Today. Web.

Wellness in society has been a topic of discussion among scholars and specialists, leading to a wide view of the social, psychological, and physical aspects pertaining to human well-being. According to Horwitz (2020), an individual’s social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics are dependent on their mental health. To fully comprehend its place in human wellness, it is essential to unravel the historical perspectives surrounding it. Grob (2019) underscores that mental health has been a core part of American society since the pre-colonial period, although its perceptions have changed over the years. The interlink between social sciences and humanities provides a framework on which the social impact of mental health can be understood. Natural and applied sciences have attempted to explain the existence of mental illnesses in nature, following a scientific approach. In essence, history, humanities, social sciences, and natural and applied sciences approach mental health and wellness from different perspectives, contributing to a deeper understanding of the issue.

Historical Perspectives

There have been three primary hypotheses of mental illness genesis throughout history: supernatural, somatogenic, and psychogenic. According to supernatural theories, mental illness is linked to possession by wicked or demonic spirits, gods’ anger, eclipses, cosmic gravitation, plagues, and sin (Jones & Beauvais, 2022). Somatogenic theories examine bodily dysfunctions caused by sickness, inherited characteristics, or neurological damage or imbalance. Stressful or traumatic situations, maladaptive learned linkages, cognitions, or skewed perceptions are all discussed in psychogenic theories (Jones & Beauvais, 2022). Etiological concepts of mental illness determine the diagnosis and support that mentally ill people get. Over the years, these theoretical approaches played a key role in determining the approach and attitudes toward mental health.

Mental illness has long been regarded as religious penance or demonic possession in many civilizations. The mental disease was classified as a religious or personal concern in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Latin texts. Grob (2019) records that Hippocrates was a forerunner in managing mentally sick people using scientific procedures that diverted from religion or superstition around the fifth century. Negative stereotypes regarding mental disease lasted in the United States well into the 18th century, resulting in stigmatization and imprisonment of mentally ill people.

After observing the unsafe surroundings in which many patients resided in the 18th century, activist Dorothea Dix pushed for improved living arrangements for the mentally ill. According to Jones and Beauvais (2022), Dix got the US government to support the construction of 32 public psychiatric facilities over a 40-year span. The most efficient approach to treatment for the mentally ill was to use the institutionalized inpatient care system, where many patients stayed in health facilities and were served by trained staff. State hospitals were usually under-resourced, despite the fact that institutionalized treatment enhanced primary care access. Following a succession of high-profile revelations of terrible living circumstances and human rights breaches, the systemic medical system garnered considerable criticism (Grob, 2019). In summary, historical paradigms have reflected a change from traditional and inhuman treatment of mental health disorders to a more scientific, humane, and professional approach, contributing to improved wellness in society.

A Humanities Perspectives of Mental Health

The complex nature of mental health calls for a humanities approach to enable conceptualization of the mind and brain for improved mental health care and human well-being. Horwitz (2020) asserts that humanities through psychology are vital for shaping human experiences, which is crucial for mental well-being. Psychiatrists can use philosophy to further their knowledge of empathetic curiosity. The scientific inquiry that pushes health professionals to seek diagnostic information and medical knowledge is not the same as empathy curiosity.

On the one hand, scientific curiosity is driven by a desire to learn more about why people develop schizophrenia and to determine whether an individual is traumatized or clinically depressed. On the other hand, Empathic curiosity is a need to understand how the condition occurs, by adopting a quasi–first-person approach to the patient’s situation (Schlozman, 2017). Evidently, humanities have the potential to rekindle interest in patients’ experiences, leading to a better understanding of mental health in all its dimensions and facilitating policy change for improved human welfare.

The role of humanities in mental health goes beyond the patient, underscoring the medical crisis affecting young psychiatric doctors. Burnouts, depression, and loss of purpose among medical practitioners underscore the connection between humanistic approaches to mental health and overall human well-being. Students of psychiatry might approach the existential issues of self-other dichotomies via the humanities lens. The notion that early psychiatric patients were dubbed alienists emphasizes how often mental illness has been defined by the self’s separation from itself (Horwitz, 2020). In summary, humanistic approaches to mental health view wellness as a person’s ability to manifest their true self for fulfilling life experiences. This perspective stems from Scheid and Wright’s (2017) assertion that mental health circumvents an individual’s everyday surroundings, determining how they feel, what they believe, and their actions. From this point of view, mental health is analyzed through the humanistic lenses as entailing all the processes through which individuals tap from their innate potential to shape their health through positive self-perceptions.

Mental Health from a Social Sciences Perspective

Sociological approaches emphasize how life experiences, social contexts, societal norms, social hierarchies, and cultural systems of interaction influence mental states. Many sociologists investigate how societal factors influence mental health. The sociology of psycholoical wellness has confirmed the high value of social relations for mitigating mental disorders (Scheid & Wright, 2017). Psychological well-being is approached from a sociological perspective in a variety of ways. Sociologists consider the impact of social factors on mental health and sickness instead of psychobiological approaches that examine personal attributes and brain features (Scheid & Wright, 2017). According to social perspectives, individuals in similar circumstances are assumed to have comparable degrees of mental wellness and illness. Consequently, what decides how positive or negative people feel is influenced not only by their own personality characteristics or brains but also by the social circumstances they confront.

Sociologists consider two main aspects of an individual’s mental health in relation to society. First, they concentrate on prevailing social conditions within the environment. These are primary factors beyond the control of an individual that impact their psychological well-being. Second, they identify how individual reactions to social circumstances affect people’s perceptions of themselves and the world around them, leading to various mental health implications. Scheid and Wright (2017) record that social inequality, integration, and stratification are some of the social factors that have had the highest impact on mental health. Therefore, sociology bridges the gap between biological factors and physical aspects of health by assessing patients’ wellness in the context of their environments.

The reaction to mental health issues is also entrenched in important aspects of social life. People’s perceptions of their issues, the treatments they pursue, and the resources available to cure them are all influenced by social dynamics. Horwitz (2020) notes that in the past few decades, cultural perceptions of what it implies to be mentally healthy have shifted significantly. Pharmaceutical firms, mental health professionals, the media, and state agencies are among the social organizations that urge people to medicate their emotional pain. As a result, mental illness is now defined much more broadly than in the earlier years, encouraging more people to identify themselves as experiencing mental issues that require professional help.

Mental health and sickness, according to sociological perspectives, are not merely personal characteristics but also result from a variety of societal factors. Individuals’ feelings of themselves and and the chances of being mentally ill are profoundly influenced by social subgroups, historical events, the societies to which they belong in, and the value systems they recognize (Scheid & Wright, 2017). In addition, these factors determine the types of psychological issues people are likely to experience, their approaches once they face mental challenges, and the types of help available to them.

Mental Health from a Natural and Applied Sciences Perspective

Anxiety and depression are among the primary causes of sickness and disability, impacting millions of people worldwide each year and having enormous social and economic consequences. Despite the great value individuals place on psychological health, the role of natural and applied sciences in mental well-being has not been well researched. A poll conducted by Wellcome Global Monitor 2020 revealed that many people are unsure about science’s role in identifying and relieving mental health difficulties. 27% of respondents believed science explains a lot about how emotional reactions work or may assist in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety (Wellcome, 2021). In contrast, nearly half of those polled believed science could be significantly beneficial in treating infectious diseases (Wellcome, 2021). Nevertheless, science has been central in developing evidence-based solutions backed by the understanding of how phenomena interact to influence human well-being.

The natural and applied sciences field has undergone key developments that have significantly changed how people view mental health and the available solutions. Since the institutionalization of mental healthcare in the 18th century, scientific research has been ongoing, facilitating the application of technology for developing more effective treatments (Grob, 2019). The scientific approach to mental well-being recognizes the interrelationships between biological processes and psychological health, seeking solutions to resolve natural body responses to factors that lead to mental challenges.

Sociological and humanistic approaches view mental well-being as a condition resulting from individual personalities and responses to social structures, ignoring its existence as a medical disorder needing diagnosis, treatment, and management. Deer (2022) reports that biochemical reactions and imbalances are a potential explanation for the increase in psychological illnesses and require a scientific approach. From this perspective, scientific processes within the brain influence how patients react to mental issues, further revealing the connections between social, humanistic, and science-based approaches to well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mental health has been a topic of discussion in the past few decades following an exponential rise in psychological challenges within the healthcare sector. Historically, several theories have been formulated to explain the origins of mental illnesses, with some citing religious and cultural influences. Through a shift from traditional to humanistic approaches, social sciences have revealed that socio-cultural elements affect patients’ responses to mental illnesses by shaping their perspectives of themselves and the world around them. Currently, more focus has been on developing next-generation treatment options for mental disorders breaking away from stereotypes and unfounded claims.

References

Deer, B. (2022). The science behind mental health – WISE initiative for stigma elimination. WISE Initiative for Stigma Elimination – Building Resilience, Inclusion, and Hope for Mental Health in All Communities. Web.

Grob, G. (2019). Mental illness and American society, 1875-1940. Princeton University Press. Web.

Horwitz, A. (2020). Creating mental illness. University of Chicago Press. Web.

Jones, J. S., & Beauvais, A. M. (2022). Psychiatric mental health nursing: An interpersonal approach (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning

Scheid, T. L., & Wright, E. R. (Eds.). (2017). A handbook for the study of mental health: Social contexts, theories, and systems (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press. Web.

Schlozman, S. (2017). Why psychiatric education needs the humanities. Academic Psychiatry, 41(6), 703-706. Web.

Wellcome. (2021). What is the role of science in mental health? Wellcome Global Monitor 2020. Web.

Introduction

Matters of transition to motherhood are one of the most complex and underdeveloped areas of modern science. Recent years, however, have witnessed a growing interest in the psychological aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. Expecting a child is one of the most significant biological events in any woman’s life. Although this period is generally positive, women still require certain adaptation. Increased internal conflict and acute emotional tension during pregnancy may lead to poor mother-infant attachment. Specific mental state conditions of a woman, such as stress, depressive moods, psychopathological traits, and exacerbation during different periods of pregnancy, may also harm the child’s further development. This paper aims to analyze various aspects of the transition to motherhood and factors that may affect maternal mental health.

Emotional, Physical and Social Changes of Transitioning to Motherhood

The life program of any human being, built into the genome, which determines appearance, character, and health is derived from parents when their cells merge at conception. Apart from the genetic program, the future development of a child is predetermined by various events that women experience before and after childbirth. Childbearing females undergo several changes during the prenatal period. In particular, a history of mental illnesses, such as depression, is a significant risk factor of experiencing a “traumatic childbirth” (Ababneh et al., 2017, p. 4). Besides, a considerable number of women experience negative feelings such as anxiety, anger, sadness, when adapting to the changes during the transition.

Apart from emotional challenges, future mothers undergo a process of rapid physical development. In addition to apparent body changes, women experience hormonal surges and sleep deprivation. In terms of social changes, childbearing females face a shift in their role in society and within a family unit. The pregnancy period can open new possibilities for much more intimate connections with the partner but also provoke various complications. Increased stress levels often lead to distancing and separation or avoidance of sexual relations during pregnancy. Thus, such a shift in the emotional, physiological, and social status of women in transition to motherhood may result in the development or worsening of mental health issues.

Factors Affecting Mental Health in the Prenatal Period

Maternal psychological well-being is affected by various mental and physiological changes. However, specific earlier life events may contribute to more frequent depressive moods and the deterioration of mental health overall. It is reported that emotional trauma and prior sex abuse and other forms of childhood maltreatment may challenge a positive transition to motherhood (Christie et al., 2017). Recent studies suggest that some women fear that the process of labor may be comparable to the previous sexual trauma, thus, provoking feelings of anxiety and depression (Ababneh et al., 2017). Moreover, abuse history puts women at a higher risk of developing postpartum stress disorders (Christie et al., 2017). Family stressors such as conflicts with a partner, disagreements on parental matters, and others may also relate to new onsets of depression symptoms and the development of prenatal and postpartum psychological issues. Aarestrup et al. (2020) state that the perinatal period is the beginning of a “mother’s prenatal involvement with her developing child” (p. 2). Thus, identifying the need for mental health treatment is of the utmost significance for both the mother and the infant.

Substance misuse is quite often associated with violence, maltreatment, and overall health deterioration. Researchers determine that it is also interconnected with sexual trauma as the latter is related to increased consumption of alcohol or nicotine during pregnancy (Christie et al., 2017). Apart from affecting the proper development of a fetus, prenatal use of drugs, tobacco, and other illicit substances contributes to behavioral issues and exacerbation of already present mental health problems. Untreated substance abuse, along with associated with it psychological matters, results in subsequent dysfunctional mother-infant relationships.

Attachment Issues and Mental Health

Mental health issues during and after pregnancy can significantly affect a woman’s relationship with her infant. Several recent studies reported that stress disorders associated with traumatic childbirth resulted in poor mother-child bonding or increased mothers’ hostility towards their newborns (Beck & Casavant, 2019). Maternal mental issues are related to women’s fear of developing an attachment to the child even after the delivery (Ababneh et al., 2017). According to one of the studies, the difference between the effect of major maternal psychological problems and frequent anxiety moods during pregnancy on mother-infant attachment is crucial (Sliwerski et al., 2020). While a clinically diagnosed depressive disorder has a significant influence on mother-child bonding, self-reported symptoms of phycological stress are considered unrelated.

Poor mother-infant relationship negatively impacts the future long-term development of a child. Disorganized type of attachment caused by maternal mental health issues may influence brain development and subsequently cause emotional and cognitive-behavioral problems (Cortes Hidalgo et al., 2019). Lack of bond between a mother and a child during the first two years is interconnected with future abilities to form healthy relationships thought life. Compelling research conducted among orphans adopted at different ages showed that only 22% of children fostered between ages two and three and a half were developing appropriately in psychological terms (Winston & Chicot, 2016). Therefore, timely intervention by health care professionals and corresponding mental treatment sessions are vital to ensure that future mothers can establish adequate attachment with children. A positive bond, in turn, leads to the healthy emotional, physical, and mental development of a child.

The Importance of Screening Tools and Support Networks

Preventive healthcare screenings are needed to provide insights into childbearing women’s mental health and establish effective responses. Aarestrup et al. (2020) state that the perinatal period is when the maternal-fetal attachment is developed; therefore, timely screening of possible mental disorders is crucial for the well-being of both a mother and a child. However, it has been determined that the isolated treatment of stress pathologies does not result in the improvement of future parental behavior. Consistent support during pregnancy and postpartum is required to establish a healthy maternal routine and influence the relationships with the child and between partners. Paternal involvement during pregnancy may minimize maternal mental health issues and, therefore, significantly decrease the rates of premature birth and fetal growth impairment.

However, it is vital to consider that depressive symptoms are common not only in expectant mothers but also in fathers. Current research on paternal depression suggests that its symptoms and effects are mostly consistent with maternal ones. Untreated mental health issues in fathers influence communication with mothers during pregnancy and postpartum parental behavior as well. Therefore, preventive healthcare screenings should be conducted for both partners to minimize the negative effect on pregnancy and future child development. According to Aarestrup et al. (2020), healthcare support networks are responsible for identifying the need for mental health treatments, providing individual consultations, and referrals to psychiatric examinations, if necessary. Vulnerable childbearing women may receive home visits by a health care nurse before and after birth. Postnatal care relies significantly on community support networks in terms of breastfeeding issues and maternal sensitivity matters. Healthcare nurses also provide consultations on techniques, strategies, and potential challenges during the breastfeeding period. Therefore, a combined effort of support groups, Child and Family Health Nurses, and partner reassurance contribute to a healthy emotional state of a mother during and after pregnancy.

Strength-Based Approach

While pregnancy may bring many positive emotions, many women experience several negative thoughts, exacerbation of mental health issues, and depressive moods. When such conditions occur during pregnancy and postpartum, soon-to-be parents often turn to books and other sources of information on childbirth and parenting and become overwhelmed by a variety of opinions and advice. In such cases, the role of health care professionals, including continuous care and support by a Child and Family Health Nurse, is vital. Apart from the benefit of obtaining scientifically approved information on pregnancy and parental issues, nurses may be able to provide referrals to mental health professionals if needed, as well as immediate care.

Medical support and interventions by healthcare specialists require an established and unified plan. The development of strength-based approaches to address various maternal problems occurs across a large number of hospitals and childbirth centers. Cross and Cheyne (2017) outline that the strength-based strategy entails a medical practitioner to apply such skills as rapport building, motivation encouragement, more open communication with new parents, and setting up of common goals. According to the results of a study conducted in Scotland among expecting and new mothers and midwives, the feedback on maternity services provided was overall positive (Cross & Cheyne, 2017). However, certain inconsistencies in nursing care were noted as well. On their end, midwives quoted a lack of adequate training to implement a practical strength-based approach when providing maternity services (Cross & Cheyne, 2017). Thus, since the therapeutic relationship between health care practitioners and women is crucial to maintaining physical and mental health during and after pregnancy, a consistent strength-based approach should be developed and implemented.

Mental Health Risk Groups and Cultural Considerations

The most relevant factors related to the development of mental health issues during and after pregnancy are a history of sexual trauma, drug abuse, and prior psychological problems and psychiatric disorders. While a relatively significant number of studies and materials are available on the subjects above, such issues as poverty and culture-specific considerations still require more attention. Childbearing women in low-income areas are at a higher risk of developing stress disorders, which consequently affect a mother-infant relationship.

The effects of poverty on infants result in slower brain development. According to one of the studies, children up to 4 years of age from low-income families were found to have half a standard volume of gray matter (Blair & Raver, 2016). Besides, children living in poverty have elevated levels of cortisol; thus, they are more prone to stress, which results in a lower rate of self-regulation and cognition (Blair & Raver, 2016). Cultural diversity may greatly impact mental health and how depressive moods are perceived across countries. According to several studies, female gender discrimination is a decisive factor for the development of postpartum mental health disorders in women in several Middle Eastern and African countries (Evagorou et al., 2015). Moreover, the lack of medical information and intervention in undeveloped areas leads to a significant number of women with mental health issues remaining untreated.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is undeniably an exciting and meaningful event in any woman’s life. At the same time, the anticipation of a child’s birth, lack of partner support, physical challenges, social and cultural factors may attribute to the development of mental health issues, mild and severe. In addition, a history of maltreatment, sexual trauma, and drug abuse may lead to exacerbation of psychological disorders, which, in turn, causes attachment problems. Health care maternity services and the involvement of Child and Family Health Nurses play a crucial role in the identification and timely treatment of mental health issues women may experience both in perinatal and postpartum periods.

References

Aarestrup, A. K., Væver, M. S., Petersen, J., Røhder, K., & Schiøtz, M. (2020). An early intervention to promote maternal sensitivity in the perinatal period for women with psychosocial vulnerabilities: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 8, 1–13. Web.

Ababneh, A. A., Al-Ja’freh, S. M., & Abushaikha, L. (2017). Traumatic childbirth: Incidence, risk factors, and its impact on mothers and their infants a scoring review. International Journal of Applied and Natural Sciences (IJANS), 6(6), 1–8. Web.

Beck, C. T., & Casavant, S. (2019). Synthesis of mixed research on posttraumatic stress related to traumatic birth. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 48(4), 385 – 397. Web.

Christie, H., Talmon, A., Shäfer, S. K., de Haan, A., Vang, M. L., Haag, K., Gilbar, O., Alisic, E., & Brown, E. (2018). The transition to parenthood following a history of childhood maltreatment: A review of the literature on prospective and new parents’ experiences. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 8, 1–15. Web.

Cortes Hidalgo, A. P., Muetzel, R., Luijik, M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., El Marroun, H., Vernooij, M. W., van IJzendoorn, M H., White, T., & Tiemeier, H. (2019). Observed infant-parent attachment and brain morphology in middle childhood – A population-based study. Development Cognitive Neuroscience, 40, 1–9. Web.

Cross, B., & Cheyne, H. (2017). Strength-based approaches: A realist evaluation of implementation in maternity services in Scotland. Journal of Public Health, 26(4), 425–436. Web.

Evagorou, O., Arvaniti, A., & Samakouri, M. (2015). Cross-cultural approach of postpartum depression: Manifestation, practices applied, risk factors and therapeutic interventions. Psychiatric Quarterly, 87(1), 129–154. Web.

Sliwerski, A., Kossakowska, K., Jarecka, K., Switalska, J., & Bielawska-Batorowicz, E. (2020). The effect of maternal depression on infant attachment: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(8), 1–42. Web.

Winston, R., & Chicot, R. (2016). The importance of early bonding on the long-term mental health and resilience of children. London Journal of Primary Care, 8(1), 12–14. Web.

Comprehensive List of Nursing Diagnoses

• Unilateral neglect.
• Impaired environmental interpretation syndrome.
• Acute confusion.
• Chronic confusion.
• Ineffective impulse control.
• Impaired memory.
• Impaired verbal communication.
• Hopelessness.
• Risk for compromised human dignity.
• Risk for loneliness.
• Disturbed personal identity (NADA, n.d.).

Nursing Diagnosis

Disturbed personal identity.

Outcomes

The patient suffering from a kind of mental health disorder and distributed personal identity starts to recognize his own personality as a united whole.

The patient easily identifies himself/herself.

The patient has fewer difficulties when communicating with others.

Plan

Mitigation of the negative impact of any mental health disorder is a complex process that demands specific and individualized approaches to provide a patient with the most important and efficient methods that will promote his/her recovery and general improvement. For this reason, a plan that considers individualized needs of a patient, his/her current status and diagnosis is needed.

The chosen patient, 47-year-old male, suffers from schizophrenia. One of nursing diagnoses that could be applied to him is disturbed personal identity. Moreover, impaired verbal communication could also be related to him.

For this reason, a following nursing care plan and interventions could be suggested.

The main goal of this set of actions it the general improvement of the patients state, and his reporting about the decrease of the number of problems related to self-esteem and personal identity.

• Speak clearly and directly to the patient in an understandable and professional manner for him to acquire the information and be able to process it.
• Explain the nature of the problem and the main troubles that might result from it.
• Explain the necessity and outstanding importance of treatment by pointing out possible complications and complete loss of personal identity.
• Teach the patient how to use specialized techniques that might help him to gain control over his feelings and emotions and realize himself as a certain individual.
• Provide the patient with an opportunity to perform various kinds of activity that might help him to remain an active member of society as it is important for his self-esteem.
• devote time to one-on-one interaction with the patient to improve his self-esteem.
• inform the patient when he starts to lose his own personality.
• speak with the patient about his personal interests, hobbies, preferable activities, games, etc. to admit the unique peculiarities of his personality.
• create the communicational pattern that appeals to the patients self-esteem and his feeling of dignity.
• gain trust and establish comfortable relations with the patient.
• avoid any actions that might trigger the growths of the patients dissatisfaction and suspiciousness.
• teach the patient social skills to interact with people and relatives.
• provide encouragement and praise for all success attained by the patient.

These actions and interventions have a certain scientific rationale that predetermines the expected outcomes and proves the necessity of the implementation of these measures. The fact is that the patient suffering from schizophrenia and characterized by a distributed personal identity has certain problems with socialization and realization of their place in a certain community or society (Townsend, 2011). For this reason, all interventions should be aimed at the assistance with the communication and socialization skills. Moreover, patients suffering from this disease might fail to establish trustful relations with people who surround them and provide support. For this reason, it is crucial to create the environment that will promote the establishment of close relations between the patient and his nurse. It will have the great positive impact on the recovery process and contribute to the improved outcomes. However, the patient should be able to function without any significant assistance and realize his personality as a united whole.

Evaluation

Evaluating the given plan and suggested interventions, it is possible to state several crucial points. First of all, the suggested course of actions has a scientific rationale that comes from the researches related to the issue. Schizophrenia could be considered a great problem of the modern age and there are numerous attempts to mitigate its negative impact by providing appropriate care for patients who suffer from it. In this regard, the suggested plan aims at providing the patient with the most important conditions, medications, and treatments that might result in better outcomes. Yet, if to investigate the outlined goals and outcomes, it is possible to admit the fact that the focus on the restoration of the patients self-esteem and assistance in the reconsideration of the attitude to his personality is crucial for the whole recovery process as it might guarantee the improvement of the quality of life. Furthermore, there are certain specific nursing interventions that are suggested to mitigate the negative impact of schizophrenia and help a patient to continue his existence.

These should also promote the establishment of trustful relations between a nurse and the patient and the further evolution of their cooperation. As one can notice, the majority of interventions are aimed at the explanation of the problems a person suffering from the disease might face and the ways to overcome these very problems. Besides, a nurse should also be ready to devote a certain amount of time to the communication with the patient. These interventions are needed to establish relations between a nurse and the patient and promote the further improvement of their cooperation. Finally, there are also interventions that are introduced to improve the patients understanding of his identity by emphasizing activities, hobbies , and games he likes. These unique parts of a persons character determine its formation and serve as distinctive features between individuals. That is why their consideration is extremely important for a patient as it will help him to preserve the main aspects of his personality.

Altogether, the given plan could be considered efficient enough to guarantee the improvement of the patients state and his further existence as a part of local community or family. The plans obvious strengths are its focus on the individualized needs of the patient and creation of the main interventions that should satisfy these very needs. Moreover, it also contributes to the recognition the importance and necessity of the prescribed treatment. The patient will obviously accept the course and engage in the process. However, there are also several weaknesses of the suggested plan. First, it is not able to foresee all possible complications that might appear in the course of treatment. Additionally, there might also be some problems with the assessment of a patient’s state and provision of a relevant response to new alterations.

The creation of the efficient plan is an integral aspect of the modern system of the delivery of nursing care as it helps to improve the state of a patient and guarantee his speedy recovery. That is why a specialist should be ready to implement the interventions that might contribute to the better outcomes.

References

NADA. (n.d.). The complete list of NANDA nursing diagnosis for 2012-2014. Web.

Townsend, M. (2011). Nursing diagnoses in psychiatric nursing: Care plans and psychotropic medications. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

Directed by Ron Howard in the year 2001, A Beautiful Mind is a chef-d’oeuvre film based on the life of Nobel Laureate in Economics, John Nash.

The film brings out the struggles that Nash encounters with his mental health. In the year 1948, Nash enrolls at Princeton University as a graduate student and immediately stands out from the others. Mostly, he keeps to himself, but in some occasions, he goes out with his classmates for drinks (Howard, 2001). Nash makes it his priority to find an original mathematical theorem.

His best friend while at Princeton is Charles Herman who doubles as his roommate. Later on, he works his way up the ladder to become a professor before taking Alicia as his wife in the same institution. With time, Nash becomes schizophrenic and thus as expected becomes disillusioned if not irrational. He retreats from the world, but in the 1970s, he gets back into the academics world and slowly returns to teaching and research. As fate would have it, John incredibly wins the 1994 coveted Nobel Prize in Economics (Howard, 2001).

The role of Nash as played by Russell Crowe, the protagonist in A Beautiful Mind film is to bring out the leading actor’s role in the film. He is the central character in the film and he ends up in conflict due to the struggles that he faces after being diagnosed with a mental disorder.

Nash’s role is to evoke intrigue and excitement coupled with many other emotions to the audience. Right from when he enters Princeton, his social life and determination to come up with a mathematical theorem, his falling in love and marrying Alicia, and finally his being a victim of a mental disorder, the audience is filled with different emotions.

At the beginning of the film, Nash stands out as a character full of ethics in that he lives a moral and virtuous life while in school, but later on after he marries Alicia, he puts his infant son in danger and knocks down Alicia together with the baby.

However, proponents of his ethical behavior would attribute this incidence to his mental disorder, schizophrenia (Howard, 2001). Overall, it is clear that his character is ethical and his shortcomings hinge on the fact that he suffered sudden illness, which he overcomes later.

In real life, the reality of the occurrences surrounding Nash is evident in the contemporary society. A person might be good at what he or she does and s/he might be living to his or her potential, but all over a sudden, s/he suffers from a disorder that pulls him or her behind and forces him/her to become inadequate since s/he has to rely on medication.

In addition, such people become dependants. Such people might even die and a good example is Steve Jobs of Apple Inc. who bowed to cancer. However, with good support from family and friends, one can pull through and go back to living a normal life again, like the case of Nash in the movie.

Against all odds, Alicia sticks with her sick husband even when the circumstances dictate otherwise. Later on, John luckily wins the confidence of the Princeton University where he secures the chance to work in the mathematics sector under the support of his former ally cum competitor, Dr. Hansen.

Reference

Howard, R. (Executive Director). (2001). A Beautiful Mind. [DVD]. USA: Universal Pictures.