As nurses, we invest a great deal of time educating individuals to get yearly physical health screening, but how often do health providers ask about our mental health during those yearly exams? We have all witnessed tragedies across this nation that result from lack of mental health interventions. There is no question that ignoring symptoms of mental distress is not wise and usually results in poor outcomes.
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Without question, nurses, through daily encounters with patients in both in- and outpatient settings, are well positioned to address the mental health of those patients. Each year, thousands of students across the United States are trained in the art and science of psychiatric nursing. We emphasize the importance of developing a therapeutic relationship with clients and understanding the origin and treatment of mental health problems. Additionally, students are made aware of the impact of stigma on individuals who experience mental distress. So, nursing has an effective platform from which to address mental health issues.
Strategically, it would be great if more RNs specializing in mental health were present in larger numbers in educational settings from kindergarten through college, because early prevention is an effective approach for detecting and treating symptoms of mental illness. Just as we promote yearly screening for diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, we should invest the same energy in screening for mental illness. Each of us should commit today to encouraging friends, families, and colleagues to seek out yearly mental health screenings.
For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.
