Evidence Based Mental Health Promotion

Principles and Practice Of Evidence Based Mental Health Promotion

Principles and Practice Of Evidence Based Mental Health Promotion

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to examine contemporary mental health issues amongst HIV positive people, as well as show an understanding of the present and future role of mental health student nurses involved in this area, by using evidence based practice to demonstrate an understanding of the policy and politics involved in current and future mental health practice in the United Kingdom. The document will also be looking at collaborative practice, and include the roles played by both the service user and careers alike within both primary and secondary care in both the private and voluntary sector.

Discussion

Four major policy perspectives have been drawn to attention by Palmer and Short (1989) when discussing the formation of health policy in general. Economic, sociological, epidemiological and public health, and political science. These factors, in varying degrees, each have an impact on the development of mental health policy.

Prior to 1980, studies of mental health services were few and isolated (James, P. Burns, T. 2002). However, in the last twenty years, this situation has changed, and there is now a large amount of theory, as well as evidence, to back up the concept of mental health promotion and guide the mental health practitioner in their work. This work has been gathered from studies done in a variety of fields, such as Mental Health Paradigms and Practice, where the need to differentiate between mental illness and mental health is identified, but without neglecting the emotional and mental well being of the mentally ill (Tudor, K. 1996), as well as paying attention to anti oppressive practice (Dominelli, L. 1997) (McCulloch, G.F. and Boxer, J. 1997).

The Society of Health Education and Health Promotion Specialists position on Mental Health Promotion was set out in a discussion by MacDonald and O'Hara (1998), with evidence supporting the prioritizing of mental health promotion whilst also providing ten key elements for the promotion and demotion of mental health through the addressing of social, organizational and environmental issues, as well as interventions focused on the individual.

In a literature review by Secker (1998), a call is made for further work to be done with regards to focusing more on quality of life and the potential for health than symptoms, addressing inequalities through the forging of links to anti-poverty groups, and assessing the needs of service users. Other data also comes from research done amongst the public in the form of questionnaires, where work done by Gordon, J. and Grant, G. (1997) provided valuable insight into the thoughts and feelings of teenagers with regards to mental health issues such as stigmatization and other social problems. Bryce, G. (1997) took this further by noting that mental health services can indeed have an impact on mental health well being in the community.

Studies and collaboration among service user groups as well as high risk groups have also helped to identify the general characteristics of people who are at ...