MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL DISORDERS

By: Mashna Seno BSN II

MENTAL DISORDER
A psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture

MENTAL HEALTH
A state of well being where a person can realize his or her own abilities to cope with normal stresses of life and work productively

FOUR FACETS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

 Defined burden refers to the burden currently affecting persons with mental disorders and is measured in terms of prevalence and other prevalence.  Undefined burden is the portion of the burden relating to the impact of mental health problems to persons other than the individual directly affected.

 Hidden burden of mental illness refers to stigma and violations of human rights.  Future burden refers to the burden in the future resulting from the aging of the population, increasing social problems and unrest inherited from the existing burden.

MENTAL HEALTH SUBPROGRAMS

 Wellness of Daily Living - the process of attaining and maintaining mental well-being across the life cycle through the promotion of healthy life style with emphasis on coping with psychosocial issues. OBJECTIVES: 1. increase awareness among the population on mental health and psychosocial issues. 2. ensure access of preventive and promotivemental health services.

 Extreme Life Experiences - is one that is out of the ordinary and which threatens persons equilibrium. OBJECTIVES: 1. differentiate between critical incident and extreme life experiences. 2. identify situation which may be extreme life experiences.

3. to categorize/prioritize the extreme life experience which may be concern of mental health. 4. identify programs that could address psychosocial consequences and mental health issues of persons with extreme life experiences.

Mental Disorder OBJECTIVES: promotion of mental health and prevention of mental illness across the lifespan and across sectors.

 Substance Abuse & Other Forms of Addiction OBJECTIVES: 1. provide implementers for advocacy accurate, technical information about psychosocial effects of drugs. 2. promote protective factors against the development of substance abuse/addiction.

in the following key settings through existing DOH programs and responsible agencies. 3. rationalize and enhance the drug program to different key settings as a form of deterring factor

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS

1. In Mental Health Promotions - participate in the promotion of mental health among families and the community. - utilize opportunities in his/her everyday contacts with other members of the community to extend the general knowledge on mental hygiene.

- help community in understanding basic emotional needs and the factors that promote mental being. - teach parents the importance of providing emotional support to their children during critical periods in their lives as first day in school graduation.

2. In Prevention and Control - recognize mental health hazards and stress situations; all of which may make heavy demands on the emotional resources of the persons concerned. - recognize pathological deviations from normal, and make early referral so that diagnosis and treatment could be done early. - be aware of potential causes of breakdown and when necessary take some possible preventive actions.

- help the family to understand and accept the patient s health status and behavior so that all its members may offer as much support in the readjustments to home and community. - help patient assess there capacities and handicaps in working towards a solution of their problem. - encourage feeling of achievement by setting health goals that patient can attain.

- encourage the patient to express their anxieties so that fears and misconceptions can be cleared up. - impart information and guidance about the treatment scheme of the patients, the desired and undesirable effect of tranquilizers, psychiatric emergency management and other nursing care.

3. Rehabilitation - initiate patient participation in occupational activities suited to patient. - encourage and initiate patients to partake in activities of CIVIC organization in the community through the cooperation of patients family. - advise the family about the importance of regular follow-up at the clinic. - make regular home visits to observe patients conditions during conversation and follow-up medication.

4. In Research and Epidemiology - participate actively in epidemiologic survey to be aware of the size and extent of mental health problems of the community and organize a program for better preventive, curative and rehabilitative measures.

POINTERS FOR HAVING MENTAL HEALTH

 Maintain good physical health  Undergo annual medical examination or more often as needed  Develop and maintain wholesome lifestyle  Avoid smoking, substance abuse and excessive alcohol  Have a realistic goal in life  Have a friend in whom you can confide and ventilate your problems.

 Dont live in the past and avoid worrying about the future.  Live-one day at a time  Avoid excessive physical, mental and emotional stress  Develop and sustain solid spiritual values.