PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH

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Promoting Mental Health

Promoting Mental Health

Introduction

Mental health promotion is a concept that aims to create stable living conditions and environments that enable individuals to maintain a normal lifestyle and share in the benefits of the state (Webb, 2006). These efforts include measures to increase the chances of more people living life with full mental well being and stability. Cattan & Tilford (2006) describes mental health promotion as promoting positive mental health by increasing psychological well-being, competence and resilience and by increasing supportive living conditions and environments.

This essay will address issues in mental health education and promotion focusing on a client who was met during a clinical placement. The client's mental health promotion need will be discussed and outlined. The essay will also identify and describe statutory and non-statutory initiatives in relation to mental health promotion, and how we have applied these initiatives to this client. Possible strategies that aided in improving upon the mental health of the client will be outlined. Finally, we will discuss the factors that are conducive for the implementation of the proposed strategies. It should be noted that this essay will be written in the first-person language because of my personal involvement and practical experience in working with the client.

In line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) confidentiality is one important aspect of the nursing practice which must be observed by all personnel whether qualified or still at the novice level. With this in mind the name of the patient has been changed, Claire will be used throughout the assignment in order to protect the client's confidentiality.

Claire is 25 year old lady whom I met whilst on placement in the community with the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team (CRHTT) in the North-West of England. Claire was referred to the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team by her GP following the death of her mother six months ago. Claire has been diagnosed with Major depressive Disorder which she believes was caused by her mother's death. Claire told me that she had been tearful at times, had sleepless nights, had lost weight and feels guilty. She explained her inclination to live in complete isolation except remembering her mother and mourning her absence. According to Jones and Martinson (2007), people blame themselves for the death of their loved ones. They feel guilty at the sudden death of their loved ones, fearing as if the death is caused by them.

At our first meeting, it was discovered through a conversation that Claire was missing her childhood friend Mary; Claire stated she feels isolated and lonely following her mothers death. Claire is the only child in her family, and she has no contact with her father. Claire had also lost contact with her best friend Mary who moved to London a year ago. Stanhope and Lancaster (2006) stated that children go through extreme mental pressures after their parents have died. Claire confessed that she is facing difficulties in coping by herself since the death of her ...