Introduction to Mental Health and Therapeutic Interventions Essay

Introduction to
Mental Health
And
Therapeutic
Interventions

DO130023S

Introduction to Mental Health and Therapeutic Interventions

Mental health nursing is, first and foremost, concerned with helping people find meaning in their lives and assisting them in the process of recovery. However we cannot do this effectively unless we are prepared to hear service users’ accounts of their difficulties and recognise the value of their own preferences for a meaningful life (Norman and Ryrie, 2009).The nation’s current mental health care model, like the broader field of health, is rooted in a population based public health model. The public health model is characterised by the concern for the health of a population in its entirety. It also helps in awareness to the link between health and the physical and psycho-social environment (Schafer, 2009). Public health focuses not only on traditional areas of diagnosis, treatment, and aetiology, but also disease prevention, and access to evaluation of services (Friedli, 2010). Mental health is a state of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity. It is indispensable to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and contribution to community or society. It is easy to overlook the value of mental health until problems surface (Wrycraft, 2009). Yet from early childhood until death, mental health is the springboard of thinking and communication skills, learning, emotional growth, resilience, and self-esteem. These are the ingredients of each individual’s successful contribution to the community and society (Mayer et al, 2000 and Keyes, 2002).

Within this essay I will be referring to ‘Hannah’, a service user I met as a student nurse on placement. I was privileged to be involved with helping her on ‘her’ road to recovery. I say ‘on her’ because this is what the...