NSG2PHN Assessment 2 Community Mental Health Nursing

NSG2PHN Assessment 2

Part A

Purpose and responsibilities of a community mental health nurse

Within primary healthcare, community mental health nursing is crucial in promoting mental health and offering comprehensive treatment to community members. Community nurses are charged with a variety of duties. They offer a comprehensive approach encompassing assessment, treatment, support, education, advocacy, and prevention (Kohrt et al., 2018). Firstly, community nurses are responsible for performing diagnosis and examinations, identifying and reporting mental health problems and creating personalised care programs. Treatment and support come next, including evidence-based interventions like counselling and medication administration (Hartzler et al., 2018).

Additionally, these nurses emphasise health promotion and education, working to lessen the stigma attached to mental illness and setting up community workshops and support groups. They offer quick assistance and link people to relevant services during times of need (Janlöv et al., 2018). Another essential component of their job is advocacy. In addition to coordinating care with other healthcare providers and neighbourhood organisations, they assist clients in accessing various services, including social assistance, housing, and work opportunities. Additionally, they practice preventative care, recognising risk factors and taking early action to stop the worsening of mental health problems (Browne, 2019).

The importance of community mental health nursing in achieving Primary Health Care outcomes

At the individual level, the impact of community mental health nursing is evident in the increasing number of people receiving care, as reported by the Victorian Department of Health. In 2019-2020, over 76,000 individuals benefited from public mental health services in Victoria. In addition, there was an increase of 2.1 % compared to 2018-19. Mental health nurses have played a pivotal role in identifying and supporting individuals with mental health issues, making a tangible difference in their lives (Victorian Department of Health, 2022). Another critical aspect of their work is early intervention and preventative care. According to the Victorian Government, early mental health intervention can significantly reduce mental health issues' duration and severity (Victorian Department of Health, 2021).

Community Mental health nurses are at the forefront of providing such interventions, proactively addressing issues to help individuals lead healthier lives, reduce suffering, and minimise the risk of long-term disability. Their patient-centred approach aligns with the principles of Primary Health Care (PHC), empowering individuals to take an active role in their mental health care (Australian Government, 2021). According to data on patient satisfaction associated with mental health services from the Victorian Department of Health (2023), 92.3% of users believe these services are highly person-centred, promoting a sense of accountability and self-efficacy in people and resulting in favourable health outcomes.

The stigma associated with mental health concerns has been decreased at the community level due to community mental health nursing. The stigma attached to mental health concerns in Victoria, Australia, has reportedly been significantly reduced because of educational initiatives and awareness efforts, according to a study by Vacher et al. (2022). For a community to help persons with mental health illnesses and be more welcoming and open, stigma reduction is crucial (Vacher et al., 2022). For community mental health nurses, promoting health is a top priority. The Victorian Department of Health says that community involvement and awareness of mental health concerns have significantly increased due to its educational initiatives. In order to improve community well-being and the general mental health of the populace, these nurses are crucial (Victorian Department of Health, 2022).

Community mental health nursing is crucial during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic (Vacher et al., 2022). For instance, compared to 40.5% of other Australians, 47.8% of Victorians experienced a negative impact on their mental health (Jiang et al., 2022). During this trying time, community mental health nurses offered essential crisis intervention and support, reducing the psychological effects of the pandemic and maintaining community safety and stability (Vacher et al., 2022).

Finally, community mental health nursing has a big impact on how resources are allocated and how policies are developed at the policy level. These nurses offer valuable insights into the needs and challenges of the community, which in turn shape effective mental health policies (Hajizadeh et al., 2021). Victoria's Mental Health Reform Strategy is a prime example of policy development influenced by healthcare professionals and community stakeholders, including mental health nurses. This strategy reflects a commitment to effectively addressing the population's mental health needs (Rosenberg et al., 2022).

Part B

Intended consumer group

This resource is primarily designed for expectant mothers or people who are pregnant. It provides advice on how to lead a healthy lifestyle while pregnant through appropriate eating and exercise. It promotes maintaining hydration, making heart-healthy decisions, and gradually increasing physical activity. The tool emphasises the value of assistance from partners, families, friends, neighbours, and medical professionals. It discusses typical pregnancy symptoms like nausea, heartburn, and constipation and provides advice for dealing with them. This resource caters to those looking for direction and support throughout this critical stage of life, emphasising offering knowledge and suggestions to ensure a safe pregnancy.

The intended purpose of the resource

This resource's primary goal is to give expectant moms helpful advice on leading healthy lifestyles throughout pregnancy to benefit both the mother and the growing child. The informational tool promotes nutrition and exercise as crucial elements of a healthy pregnancy. It promotes moderate rises in physical activity and stresses the significance of choosing foods that are good for your heart and drinking enough water. It also highlights the food items to avoid during pregnancy and the power foods needed to be consumed during this time. To ensure a smooth and safe pregnancy, it also emphasises the value of having a strong support network that includes partners, family, friends, neighbours, and medical experts.

Sustainability of the resource

The resource in question is highly suitable and aligns well with the guidelines and recommendations of reputable organisations in Australia, making it a valuable asset for expectant mothers. It promotes a holistic approach to pregnancy that considers maternal health's physical, nutritional, and emotional aspects. The emphasis on gradually increasing physical activity corresponds with the guidance of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). RANZCOG recommends regular exercise during pregnancy and encourages women to adapt their physical activity routines to their circumstances ( RANZCOG, 2020). Additionally, the resource's focus on nutrition, mainly vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains, closely reflects the Australian Dietary Guidelines for pregnancy.

These guidelines stress the importance of maintaining a balanced diet to meet the increased nutrient requirements during pregnancy, ensuring the health of both the mother and the developing baby (Eat for Health, n.d). Lastly, the resource highlights the significance of a support network that includes partners, family, and healthcare professionals. This emphasis on emotional well-being and comprehensive support aligns with Australia's approach to holistic maternity care. The Australian healthcare system encourages collaborative care involving midwives, obstetricians, and general practitioners, ensuring that expectant mothers receive the multidisciplinary support they need throughout their pregnancy (Medway et al., 2023).

Critiquing the resource

One of the primary merits of the resource is its alignment with guidelines from reputable organisations like the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the Australian Dietary Guidelines. By ensuring pregnant moms that the advice is grounded in the best practices advised by their nation's leading healthcare authority, this alignment lends the material more credibility. Another major aspect of the site is its comprehensiveness. It covers various important issues related to pregnancy and labour, including the value of a support system, proper diet, and physical activity. With the information and resources to successfully traverse pregnancy complications, pregnant moms are given a well-rounded education thanks to this holistic approach (Grenier et al., 2020).

The material of the resource is notable for its clarity and accessibility. Simple language ensures that the information is understandable and applicable to a wide range of people. No matter the expectant mother's educational background or acquaintance with medical terminology, this method reduces barriers to comprehension and makes the resource a beneficial tool (Ikhilor et al., 2019). The resource also includes multimedia components, such as vivid and colourful visuals, to engage the audience further and accommodate various learning styles. Using a variety of senses can improve learning and help pregnant mothers remember and be interested in the material. Such interactive features can enhance the textual content and provide a richer, more educational experience (Schroder et al., 2018).

The resource does have certain restrictions, though. The potential absence of personalisation is the first restriction. Expectant moms have particular wants and circumstances. Thus, if the resource offers advice on adapting the material to specific conditions, it might not fully satisfy the varied needs of its audience. A typical strategy might not adequately address the wants and worries of pregnant moms (Lowdermilk et al., 2019). Another significant restriction is the absence of cultural awareness. To be relevant and applicable to a larger audience, the text must be altered to consider the various cultural backgrounds of pregnant women in Australia. Acknowledging and respecting cultural differences is vital to ensure that the information provided is accurate and respectful of individual beliefs and practices, creating a more inclusive resource (Hughson et al., 2018).

References

Australian Government. (2021). Mental health nursing services in Australia. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/06/

Browne, T. (2019). Social work roles and healthcare settings. In Handbook of Health Social Work (3rd ed), 21-37. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119420743.ch2

Eat for Health. (n.d). Healthy eating during your pregnancy. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/the_guidelines/n55h_healthy_eating_during_pregnancy.pdf

Grenier, L. N., Atkinson, S. A., Mottola, M. F., Wahoush, O., Thabane, L., Xie, F., Moore, C., & Hutton, E. K. (2020). Be Healthy in Pregnancy: Exploring factors that impact pregnant women's nutrition and exercise behaviours. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13068

Hajizadeh, A., Zamanzadeh, V., Kakemam, E., Bahreini, R., & Khodayari-Zarnaq, R. (2021). Factors influencing nurses participation in the health policy-making process: A systematic review. BMC Nursing, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00648-6

Hartzler, A. L., Tuzzio, L., Hsu, C., & Wagner, E. H. (2018). Roles and Functions of Community Health Workers in Primary Care. Annals of Family Medicine, 16(3), 240-245. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2208

Hughson, J. A. P., Daly, J. O., Woodward-Kron, R., Hajek, J., & Story, D. (2018). The rise of pregnancy apps and the implications for culturally and linguistically diverse women: narrative review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 6(11), e189. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9119

Ikhilor, P. O., Hasenberg, G., Kurth, E., Asefaw, F., & Cignacco, E. (2019). Communication barriers in maternity care of allophone migrants: Experiences of women, healthcare professionals, and intercultural interpreters. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(10), 2200-2210. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14093

Janlöv, C., Johansson, L., & Clausson, E. K. (2018). Mental ill-health among adult patients at healthcare centres in Sweden: District nurses experiences. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 32(2), 987-996. https://doi.org/10.1111/scs.12540

Jiang, J., Akhlaghi, H., Haywood, D., Morrissey, B., & Parnis, S. (2022). Mental health consequences of COVID-19 suppression strategies in Victoria, Australia: A narrative review. The Journal of International Medical Research, 50(11). https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605221134466

Kohrt, B. A., Asher, L., Bhardwaj, A., Fazel, M., D. Jordans, M. J., Mutamba, B. B., Nadkarni, A., Pedersen, G. A., Singla, D. R., & Patel, V. (2018). The Role of Communities in Mental Health Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Meta-Review of Components and Competencies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15061279

Lowdermilk, D. L., Cashion, K., Perry, S. E., Alden, K. R., & Olshansky, E. (2019). Maternity and Women's Health Care E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. https://books.google.co.in/books

Medway, P., Hutchinson, A., & Sweet, L. (2023). In what ways does maternity care in Australia align with the values and principles of the national maternity strategy? A scoping review. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 37, 100900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100900

Rosenberg, S., Salvador-Carulla, L., Meadows, G., & Hickie, I. (2022). Fit for Purpose—Re-Designing Australia’s Mental Health Information System. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19084808

Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. (2020). Exercise during pregnancy. https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Exercise-during-pregnancy.pdf

Shroder, M., Anders, S. H., Dorst, M., & Jackson, G. P. (2018). Communication Technology Use and Preferences for Pregnant Women and Their Caregivers. AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings, 2018, 1515-1523. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6371273/

Vacher, C., Ho, N., Skinner, A., Robinson, J., Freebairn, L., Lee, G. Y., Iorfino, F., Prodan, A., C. Song, Y. J., Occhipinti, A., & Hickie, I. B. (2022). Optimizing Strategies for Improving Mental Health in Victoria, Australia during the COVID-19 Era: A System Dynamics Modelling Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116470

Victorian Agency for Health Information. (2023). Patient experience. https://vahi.vic.gov.au/reports/victorian-health-services-performance/patient-experience

Victorian Department of Health. (2021). Early intervention in mental illness. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/prevention-and-promotion/early-intervention-in-mental-illness

Victorian Department of Health. (2022). Victoria’s mental health services annual report 2019-20. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/priorities-and-transformation/victorias-mental-health-services-annual-report-2019-20

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