Issues in mental health nursing
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Clinicians need information about what factors contribute to women child abuse survivors' mental health and success. Most previous research has focused on negative after-effects of abuse, and correlating types and severity of abuse with specific mental and physical problems in adulthood. Two qualitative studies (total N = 55) were done with low-income women survivors of child abuse and neglect from a midwestern inner city area. ⋯ Tentative clinical implications are discussed. The study was preliminary in that it was a secondary analysis. Suggestions for further research are outlined.
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Issues Ment Health Nurs · Dec 2002
ReviewAn examination of telephone triage in a mental health context.
Mental health triage is performed via the telephone in some institutions. The process by which an accurate mental health assessment can be made over the phone has not been documented in the literature. Telephone triage has only been comprehensively investigated within the context of Accident and Emergency departments. This paper provides a summary of the main issues that arise from this literature and then provides a number of research questions that can be directed toward telephone triage in a mental health context.
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The events of September 11, 2001 triggered a widespread national response that was two-fold: a posttraumatic stress reaction and an increase in attendance in religious services and practices immediately following the tragic events. The following discussion traces the existing research to distinguish this posttraumatic stress reaction from posttraumatic stress disorder as a recognized psychiatric diagnosis. ⋯ A conceptual model illustrates the benefits in seeking religious comfort for managing a postdisaster stress response. Nursing implications for practice are discussed.
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Within the last decade, a national prevention research, training, and practice agenda on mental health has been established to address the epidemiological increases in mental disorders and associated emotional and financial costs to individuals, families, and communities. In this article, the author reviews theoretical, empirical, and public policy support in favor of prevention science that inherently includes a broad positive mental health orientation with an emphasis on mental health promotion processes. ⋯ The socioeconomic and cultural context of positive mental health is emphasized with particular attention given to the interrelatedness of individual, family, and community "collective sense of well being." Nursing and interdisciplinary contributions are reviewed, noting implications for future public policy and service system changes. Innovative ways to enhance mental health will require study of system integration across primary and mental health services as well as incorporating services within societal institutions such as schools and the workplace.