Mental Illness : The Stigma Against Mental Health

The disparity in treatment has been attempted to be remedied over the eras. Bills and Acts put into place in the 20th and 21st centuries have seeked to improve care and reduce stigma around those with mental illness. This began in 1942, when Harry Truman signed the National Mental Health Act, which requested the formation of a National Institute of Mental Health. Shortly after this, in 1949, the National Institute of Mental Health was established (“National Institute of Mental Health”). During the company’s 60 year lifespan they have focused on research about mental illness, educating the public, and improving the lives of the mentally ill by working to pass laws. One law that seeks to reduce the stigma of mental illness is the Mental Healths Service Act of California. "California 's Historic Effort To Reduce The Stigma Of Mental Illness: The Mental Health Services Act" from the American Journal Of Public Health illustrates how the Act will make improvements. Families and individuals who have experienced stigma had a big role in the process, specifically with developing a 10 year plan, the California Strategic Plan on Reducing Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination. One component of the Act discussed is the work plan developed by California Mental Health Services Authority, which has three components: stigma and discrimination reduction, student mental health, and suicide prevention. Organizations such as the NIMH have made efforts resulting in the evolution of mental

Until recently, few health insurance plans provided coverage for mental health services to the same extent as physical health services, if they were covered at all. The reasons for the discrimination in health insurance vary, but mental illnesses historically have not been well understood by the public, and people have had a hard time understanding that mental illnesses are biologically based diseases that affect the mind and body just like any other disease that has solely physical manifestations. A stigma is said to occur when people view something in a negative way because of a distinguishing characteristic or trait that is thought to be, or is, a disadvantage. The stigma surrounding mental illness has led to direct and obvious discrimination and one of its results, and the focus of this paper, is the discrimination to the mentally ill and mentally infirm by not providing health insurance that adequately covers mental illness diagnosis and treatments. Despite the progress of mental health parity legislation, the passing of the ACA and the advances in mental health research that have revealed that mental illnesses are biologically based, a stigma still remains around individuals with mental illnesses, that has led to exemptions, road-blocking the goal of full parity. This paper demonstrateS that while advances in the availability of private insurance coverage for those with mental illnesses has improved, there are still loopholes that private insurance

What is a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat both physical and mental conditions through comprehensive history taking, physical exams, and ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests (Yee, Boukous, Cross, & Samuel, 2013). The Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) states that nurse practitioners are registered nurses who are prepared by advanced education to provide primary care including medical procedures that may be required for a specialty area. The purpose of this paper is to reveal to the reader what a nurse practitioner is, providing background information of a mental health practitioner, nursing shortage, effect on the nurses and patients with the shortage of mental

Psychologists perform many studies related to Borderline Personality Disorder. One study in adults proves that 2-8% of adults suffer from BPD. In the same study, psychologist discovered that in fact the disorder is far more common in women than in men. After obtaining research in children and teens we see the frequency of BPD in 9-19 years of age is about 11%. This study or theory also proves that BPD occurs more often in girls than in boys. Borderline Personality Disorder can be triggered or caused in many different ways. Some people suffer from BPD due to a disturbing childhood experience. Studies show this disorder could even be genetic. There are numerous reasons why a child, teen, adult can develop traits and eventually suffer from BPD. Many patients tell or report abuse or neglect during childhood or some pivotal time in their life. The most common abuse reported tends to be sexual abuse as a child. Forty to seventy percent of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder, who suffered abuse as a child, claim the abuse was sexual in nature. Other important causes revolve around family neglect, foster care, or trauma. BPD patients have an increased fear of losing a primary attachment figure. With higher awareness of BPD, we now know this disorder’s high personal, social, and economic toll make it a national public health

This disorder has been the focus of different and significant research because results suggest that 2.7 percent of adults in the United State meet diagnostic criteria for BPD (Tomko, Trull, Wood, & Sher, 2014). Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe form of psychopathology characterized by a long standing pattern of difficulties in interpersonal relationships, impulsiveness, and instability of moods, identity disturbance, self-harm, and a high rate of suicidal behavior. The instability of moods is the deadline of this personality disorder because it is very difficult for people to control anger depression and anxiety (Rathus, 2014). This can affect the workplace and daily life since it is employees with borderline personality traits are challenging for management. Although there can sometimes be overt evidence of impulsive or disruptive behavior, the problems are more often manifest in more subtle ways. Appropriate limit setting is essential, with a focus on proper workplace conduct, completion of assigned tasks, and due consideration of coworker feelings (Ogden, & Prokott,

Prior to her admittance in the psychiatric hospital, Susanna had graduated from high school and appeared to have no desire to go to college. Her “break” and attempted suicide seemed to come from stressors and overwhelming feelings of not knowing what she wanted to do with her life. According to NIMH (2007), distortions in cognition and sense of self can lead to changes in goals, jobs, friendships, gender and identity. Some people with borderline personality disorder feel

Nursing students in this study suggested that the psychiatric patients are normal people and innocent persons. This result confirms that nursing students had positive feelings towards psychiatric patients after the mental health nursing practicum. By the end of the course, students could develop sufficient knowledge and skills so that they could efficiently communicate the psychiatric patients. Similar to the findings in this pilot study, the research by Hung et al. (2009) pointed out that after completing the clinical practicum, most students specifically reported having lost the attitude of stigmatizing mental patients and spoke about their efforts to regard them as normal individuals.

Psychiatric nurses change the lives of their patients by providing expert care and support to people with emotional disorders. On an average day, an employee assesses the patient's condition, give counseling, monitor patients even after their treatment. Even after their done working with a patient, they’ll still check up on them to make sure their following through with the treatment they received. The best part of the job is assessing

Major components that the student nurse has obtained from her experience in this psychiatric clinical rotation include benefits in therapeutic communication, psychiatric diagnoses, and greater awareness of mental illnesses. The student nurse has adapted awareness this semester in considering psychiatric illness in all clinical settings even outside the behavioral health unit. Psychiatric illness is in all areas of healthcare and the student nurse is appreciative that she has obtained greater knowledge in how to care and approach these individuals appropriately. During this rotation, the student nurse established better therapeutic communication techniques that she can utilize with patient’s in any healthcare setting.

The stigma in mental health system is deep rooted and its origin goes back by centuries. The stigma is powerful that it has been codified in federal since last 50 years. But the realization that the stigma attached adversely affects mental health care system is still lacking. The discrimination against mental illness has invaded the systemic structure causing more worries to sufferers of mental illness and their families. While every individual and system is well aware of mental illness and the biggest constraint in its prevention, there is a huge gap between literature and real practice (Kelly et al, 2010). This essay is a reflection on two newspaper articles on schizophrenia to provide a brief account of personal observation, common misconceptions, scientific truth and mainstream issues that needs an immediate attention.

A severe shortage of psychiatrists, combined with an increasing need for primary psychiatric services has open this field to psychiatric nurse professionals such as psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatric clinical nurse specialists on the inpatient clinical units.

It is estimated that 43.5 million Americans, adults 18 or older, live with mental illness. This number represents 18.1% of all U.S. adults (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014). Stigma toward those who are seen as different have existed for as long as civilization itself, with the stigma for mental illness being one of the most prominent and long lasting that society has had to face throughout its ages (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012). Increased understanding and awareness for those individuals suffering from mental illness is necessary for us to overcome the impacts stigma has on our society.

Ever since I was little, I have always been a very caring, compassionate person, as well as sensitive to other’s feelings and needs. I have always tried to put other people’s feeling before my own. As I grew older, I took these attributes and decided to pursue a career in Psychiatric Nursing. Furthermore I strongly believe when treating others, it is important to provide treatment that focuses on all aspects of a patient's life including their emotional, medical, and spiritual needs.

About one-quarter of all American adults suffer from a mental health disorder in any given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Mental health is an important component of overall health and wellness. Treatment options often include medication and psychotherapy. Mental health nurses help patients who suffer from mental illness to recover their mental health so that they can live to their fullest potential. For example, mental health nurses work in a variety of settings, such as, psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment programs, home healthcare services, community mental health agencies, and private practice. This paper will give a description of my clinical experience at a psychiatric hospital.

Hurley (2009) designed a qualitative study to clarify the identity of the mental health nurse. The author defines the psychiatric nurse’s role as the role as exhibited in several behaviors. The behaviors include, being a generic specialist, adopting the patient’s focus, engaging in talking therapy, interacting with the patients, and engaging in a therapeutic use of self. According to Foster, McAllister and O’Brien (2006) a therapeutic use of self is