Mental Health Illness-Nursing Essay Examples

According to Healthy People 2020, mental health is a condition of well-being in which an individual fulfills their potential, manages life challenges, works creatively and fruitfully, and contributes to their community. Mental health is essential from childhood through adulthood. However, issues related to mental health are a serious public concern in the United States, with an estimated 18.2% of individuals who have mental illness each year. The mental health-related mortality rate is linked to disorders such as disability and unfavorable health outcomes, including a higher risk of suicide, substance misuse, and other chronic health diseases (Pronk et al., 2021).

Furthermore, there are discrepancies in mental health care for particular populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and those living in rural areas. Some social determinants contributing to mental health conditions include economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, neighborhood and built environment, and access to and quality of early care and education.

Regarding Healthy People 2030, mental health has considerably improved over the past few years. All this is largely because there is a greater understanding of mental health concerns, and programs are being implemented to deal with them (Pronk et al., 2021). Services for mental health are more widely and easily accessible than in previous years. Policymakers are also beginning to prioritize mental health concerns as a matter of public health. In addition, mental health screenings are more widely available, and more campaigns have raised awareness of mental health. For instance, conducting programs to prevent mental health concerns, like those based in schools, and efforts to lessen stigma related to mental health, are increasing.

The Concepts of Incidence, Prevalence, and Case Fatality in Mental Illness

Incidence, prevalence, and case fatality are important concepts in understanding mental health because they provide insight into the frequency of mental health conditions, the number of people affected, and the proportion of people with mental health conditions who die.

Incidence is the rate at which new cases of a mental health condition occur among a population over time. It is often expressed as the number of new condition cases divided by the total population (Pirelli et al., 2020). It helps identify trends in the occurrence of mental health conditions. For example, if the incidence of depression increases, this indicates that more people are developing depression, which can help identify the need for increased resources for diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, mental health professionals can use vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout to determine the rate of mental health cases (Mental Health Illness).

 Prevalence is the percentage of people in a population with a mental health condition at a given time. It is crucial to comprehend the general effects of mental health issues on a population. For instance, a high prevalence of anxiety may indicate that anxiety is a serious issue in a population and may call for more resources to treat it (Pronk et al., 2021). Therefore, prevalence is useful in understanding mental health in forensic professionals. It allows researchers to understand the proportion of individuals in a population currently experiencing mental health issues such as vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue. For example, a study may examine the prevalence of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue among people in different settings.

Lastly, Case fatality is the proportion of people who die from mental health illness. It indicates the severe mental health condition and efficient therapy requirements (Nazroo et al., 2019). For instance, a high case fatality rate for depression could mean that patients aren’t getting the right care or that their condition is more serious than first thought (Pirelli et al., 2020). Additionally, it helps researchers identify the factors that may be associated with the increased mortality rate of mental health illness.

Risk Groups for Mental Health Illness

Risk groups are individuals exposed to specific environmental, social, and biological situations. More so, that enhance their risk of developing mental health disorders. For instance, women who have experienced intimate partner violence have a higher chance of suffering from sadness. In addition, anxiety, and major mental diseases. According to a systematic review conducted by (Chandan et al., 2019), female survivors of intimate partner violence have a relative risk of 1.41. More so, in developing depression while 1.62 in developing a serious mental illness.

Another at-risk group for developing mental health issues is individuals living in poverty. Poverty remain a social determinant of health linked to an increased risk of mental health problems. The World Health Organization estimates that poverty remain linked to a relative risk of 1.6 for depression and 1.7 for anxiety disorders. Accordingly, those who live in poverty have 1.6 and 1.7 times likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety. Consequently, as those who do not (Chandan et al., 2019) (Mental Health Illness).

Due to the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities, poor people are more prone to suffer from adverse life outcomes, such as mental health problems. Comparing the likelihood of having a mental health problem between those with more resources and those with less can be done using relative risk. Moreover, has revealed that persons with fewer resources remain at a higher relative risk of acquiring mental health problems (Nazroo et al., 2019). The fact that poor people are more likely to encounter additional unfavorable circumstances, such as subpar housing. In addition, inadequate nutrition, and restricted access to healthcare, only exacerbates their likelihood of acquiring mental illness. Additionally, an inadequate diet might cause an absence of energy and motivation, worsening mental health.

Interventions Used in Mental Health Illness

Cognitive behavioral therapy

When	who	How
Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered a primary prevention intervention, helping individuals identify and modify their thinking and behavior patterns on time. It is an individual-focused intervention, as it is conducted one-on-one between the therapist and the client.	individual	Education and motivation; Education is the primary tool used in cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapist educates the client on recognizing and modifying thought patterns and behavior. Motivation is also used to help clients stay on track and encourages them to make positive changes in their lives.

Group therapy

When	who		How
Primary intervention; group therapy helps individuals develop healthy coping strategies, build self-esteem, and discover new ways of thinking and interacting with others. It is effective in helping individuals learn how to manage their emotions, reduce stress and anxiety, and develop better communication skills.	Individuals, at-risk groups, and entire populations.	Education and Motivation; this helps individuals become aware of warning signs and provides them with the tools to make positive changes in their lives.

Medication

when	who	How
Secondary intervention; Medication can help reduce symptoms of mental health issues and can be combined with other interventions such as therapy, lifestyle changes, and support groups to help reduce the symptoms of mental health issues.	individuals and at-risk groups	Education and motivational interviewing can help individuals and at-risk groups understand the importance of seeking help and obligating to a plan.

Community Education

when	Who		How
Tertiary intervention Education helps to build knowledge and understanding of mental health issues and creates a supportive environment for those affected by mental health problems. Education also reduces stigma and encourages more open conversations about mental health, which can lead to more appropriate treatment and support. This is especially important for at-risk groups, such as individuals living in poverty and those with limited access to mental health resources.	Risk groups, Individuals, populations	Motivation allows individuals and groups to improve their mental health proactively. Obligation can be used to ensure individuals and groups are aware of their responsibilities and the potential consequences of not acting to improve their mental health.

Effective Interventions

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based therapy successful in treating a wide range of mental health issues. It assists people in altering their behaviors and thought processes to improve their mental health, identifying and challenging harmful thinking patterns, beliefs, and behaviors that are causing their mental health issues (O’Cathain et al., 2019). In this case, as cognitive behavioral therapy alters our ideas and behaviors, we can lessen suffering and enhance our general quality of life.

 Advantages of cognitive behavioral therapy

1. It focuses on the present as it helps individuals identify current problems and find solutions to current problems.
2. It remain tailored to an individual’s needs, whereby a therapist and patient work together to identify the problem and develop an effective treatment plan.
3. It provides relief from symptoms in a relatively short period. Hence, encouraging individuals to take an active role in their recovery. Furthermore, helping them develop the skills and strategies needed to manage their mental health in the long term.

Disadvantages

1. It can be time-consuming and may require multiple sessions.
2. It may not be accessible to individuals who cannot afford private sessions.

Group therapy

Group therapy is effective as it provides a safe and supportive environment. In addition, a sense of understanding and acceptance, and a feeling of community and belonging. By being a part of a group, individuals can gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. Moreover, learn new coping skills, and find motivation to continue their recovery journey.

Advantages of group therapy

 • Creates a sense of community among those dealing with similar issues.

•Consequently, allows individuals to learn from the experiences of others.

 • Can be more cost effective than individual therapy.

 Disadvantages

• Can be intimidating for those not used to speaking in public.

. • It may be difficult to find a group that is right for the individual’s needs.

Strategies for Implementing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Group Therapy

Some strategies I would use in implementing cognitive behavioral therapy include psychoeducation, self-monitoring, and cognitive restructuring. Psychoeducation involves providing clients with knowledge about their diagnosis and the effects. Furthermore, common symptoms, which can help build a foundation of mutual understanding and trust. This remain accomplished by holding one-on-one or group sessions and giving written materials (Etzelmueller et al., 2020). Cognitive restructuring would involve challenging and modifying the client’s negative and distorted thought patterns. Moreover, by examining the thought’s supporting facts, recasting it in a more favorable perspective. Furthermore, substituting a more sensible and constructive idea. Lastly, self-monitoring enables patients to track their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to gain insight into their thought processes.

Strategies that would help implement group therapy for people suffering from mental health include; establishing a positive group dynamic, having structured group sessions, and utilizing peer support. Research shows that establishing a positive group dynamic creates a secure and encouraging environment that is essential for group therapy to be successful (Ibrahim et al., 2019).

Secondly, structured group sessions allow members to progress toward their goals in a supportive and organized way by having well-planned topics relevant to the group and ensuring that all members can participate. Finally, utilizing peer support allows members to share their experiences and provide support and guidance to each other. This can be especially helpful for members who feel isolated or overwhelmed by their mental health issues.

References

Chandan, J. S., Thomas, T., Bradbury-Jones, C., Russell, R., Bandyopadhyay, S., Nirantharakumar, K., & Taylor, J. (2019). Female survivors of intimate partner violence and risk of depression, anxiety, and serious mental illness. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 217(4), 562-567. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.124

Etzelmueller, A., Vis, C., Karyotaki, E., Baumeister, H., Titov, N., Berking, M., Cuijpers, P., Riper, H., & Ebert, D. D. (2020). Effects of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy in routine care for adults in treatment for depression and anxiety: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(8), e18100. https://doi.org/10.2196/18100

Ibrahim, N., Thompson, D., Nixdorf, R., Kalha, J., Mpango, R., Moran, G., Mueller-Stierlin, A., Ryan, G., Mahlke, C., Shamba, D., Puschner, B., Repper, J., & Slade, M. (2019). A systematic review of influences on implementation of peer support work for adults with mental health problems. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(3), 285-293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-019-01739-1

Nazroo, J. Y., Bhui, K. S., & Rhodes, J. (2019). Where next for understanding race/ethnic inequalities in severe mental illness? Structural, interpersonal, and institutional racism. Sociology of Health & Illness, 42(2), 262-276. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13001

O’Cathain, A., Croot, L., Duncan, E., Rousseau, N., Sworn, K., Turner, K. M., Yardley, L., & Hoddinott, P. (2019). Guidance on how to develop complex interventions to improve health and healthcare. BMJ Open, 9(8), e029954. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029954

Pirelli, G., Formon, D. L., & Maloney, K. (2020). Preventing vicarious trauma (VT), compassion fatigue (CF), and burnout (BO) in forensic mental health: Forensic psychology as exemplar. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 51(5), 454-466. https://doi.org/10.1037/pro0000293

Pronk, N. P., Kleinman, D. V., & Richmond, T. S. (2021). Healthy People 2030: Moving toward equitable health and well-being in the United States. EClinicalMedicine, 33, 100777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100777