FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC-

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING

NURSING 2219
MENTAL
HEALTH

• Mental health is an
important part of overall
health and well-being.
• Mental health includes our
emotional, psychological,
and social well-being.
• Mental health is important
at every stage of life, from
childhood and adolescence
through adulthood
DEPRESSION IN THE BRAIN
MENTAL HEALTH FACTS
•Although the terms are often used
interchangeably, poor mental health and
mental illness are not the same things.
•A person can experience poor mental
health and not be diagnosed with a
mental illness.
•Likewise, a person diagnosed with a
mental illness can experience periods of  mental illness.
physical, mental, and social well-being.
• Mental illness, especially depression,
increases the risk for many types of
physical health problems, particularly
long-lasting conditions like stroke, type 2
diabetes, and heart disease.
• Similarly, the presence of chronic
conditions can increase the risk for
IMPACT OF MENTAL ILLNESS

• Number of visits to physician offices with mental • Mood disorders, including major depression,
disorders as the primary diagnosis: 65.9 million. 9 dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder, are the third
• In 2015, 75% of children aged 4 to 17 received most common cause of hospitalization in the United
treatment for their mental disorders within the past year States. for both youth and adults aged 18 to 44.

• Suicide, which is often associated with symptoms of • Individuals living with serious mental illness face an
mental illness, is the 10th leading cause of death the increased risk of physical health problems, such as
U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among people heart disease, diabetes, and HIV (human
aged 15-34. immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS).

• Serious mental illness costs in the United States amount • U.S. adults living with serious mental illness die on
to $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year. average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to
treatable medical conditions
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020

• Increase the number of people identified,

diagnosed, treated, helped to live healthier
lives
• Decrease rates of suicide, homelessness
• Increase employment for those with
serious mental illness
• Provide more services for incarcerated
persons with mental health problems
BASIC-LEVEL FUNCTIONS IN PSYCH
NURSING

• Counseling • Health teaching

• Milieu therapy • Case management
• Self-care activities • Health promotion, maintenance
• Psychobiologic interventions