Assignment Mod 4 N490 Mental Health In The Community
Assignment Mod 4 N490mental Health In The Community
Write a 1000 to 1500-word essay addressing each of the following points/questions. Be sure to completely answer all the questions for each bullet point. There should be three main sections, one for each bullet below. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing in that section of your paper. Support your ideas with at least three (3) sources using citations in your essay. Make sure to cite using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page in correct APA do not count towards the minimum word amount.
Review the rubric criteria for this assignment. Go to the Healthy People 2020 website and search for Mental Health and Mental Disorders. After reading the Overview section, pick and note 2 objectives/goals from the list that you feel affect your community and explain why these were chosen.
As a nurse, what can you do to help the community move towards this goal? Explain how physical health and mental health are correlated. What impact does each have on the other? Give at least one detailed example of how either a specific physical ailment leads to a breakdown in mental health or how a specific mental health disorder can lead to physical issues. Explain Trauma Informed Care in detail.
How you can use Trauma Informed Care to assist a child who has been impacted by trauma?
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Financial, social, and emotional wellbeing are intrinsic facets of overall health that profoundly influence an individual's quality of life. Mental health, in particular, has gained increasing recognition for its pivotal role in individual and community wellbeing. Recognizing the importance of mental health is essential for nurses and healthcare professionals, especially within community settings. This essay explores integral objectives from Healthy People 2020 related to mental health, strategies nurses can employ to align community health initiatives with these goals, the complex relationship between physical and mental health, and the application of trauma-informed care (TIC) to support vulnerable children impacted by trauma.
Section 1: Healthy People 2020 Mental Health Objectives and Community Impact
Healthy People 2020 emphasizes broad objectives aimed at improving mental health across the United States. Two key goals identified are increasing the proportion of persons with mental health disorders who receive treatment and reducing suicide rates. These objectives are particularly relevant to my community due to their potential to diminish the stigma surrounding mental illness and improve access to care. For example, the goal to increase treatment engagement targets underserved populations where mental health disparities are prevalent. In my local community, barriers such as lack of resources, stigma, and limited mental health providers contribute to untreated mental illnesses, leading to adverse outcomes like homelessness, unemployment, and community violence. Prioritizing these objectives can help bridge service gaps and promote a more resilient, healthier population.
Effective community outreach programs and heightened awareness campaigns are crucial strategies. As a nurse, advocating for mental health screenings in primary care clinics and schools can facilitate early intervention. Collaborating with local organizations to destigmatize mental illness and increase the cultural competence of care providers are essential steps toward achieving these objectives.
Section 2: The Interconnection Between Physical and Mental Health
The relationship between physical health and mental health is bidirectional and complex. Each profoundly influences the other, often creating a feedback loop that exacerbates overall health burden. For example, chronic physical illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease can lead to depression or anxiety due to the persistent stress and lifestyle limitations they impose. Conversely, mental health disorders like depression can negatively impact physical health by decreasing motivation to adhere to treatment regimens or engage in health-promoting activities.
A concrete example is the link between depression and heart disease. Depression can trigger physiological changes, such as increased inflammation and elevated blood pressure, which heighten cardiovascular risk. Mental health disorders can also impair immune function, making individuals more susceptible to physical illnesses. This interconnectedness necessitates a holistic approach in nursing, where physical and mental health assessments are integrated into patient care plans.
Addressing both aspects simultaneously enhances recovery prospects and reduces the risk of complications, emphasizing the need for integrated care models that include mental health screenings in routine physical health visits.
Section 3: Trauma-Informed Care and Supporting Traumatized Children
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an approach that recognizes the widespread prevalence of trauma and emphasizes safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration in care practices. TIC aims to avoid re-traumatization and create an environment where individuals feel supported and validated. For children impacted by trauma, TIC involves understanding the potential effects of trauma on behavior and development, and tailoring interventions accordingly.
Implementing TIC with children requires creating a safe and predictable environment, establishing consistent routines, and fostering open communication. It also involves training caregivers and staff to recognize trauma responses, such as hypervigilance, withdrawal, or aggression, and respond with empathy and patience. Therapeutic interventions might include trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), which helps children process traumatic events and develop coping strategies. Incorporating parents and caregivers into the healing process is vital for reinforcing stability and trust.
In practice, a nurse working with a traumatized child can use TIC principles by providing a calm environment, validating the child's feelings, and avoiding invasive procedures that may trigger trauma responses. Building a rapport based on respect and understanding can significantly improve the child's engagement in treatment and overall wellbeing.
By applying trauma-informed principles, healthcare providers can promote healing and resilience in children who have experienced trauma, ultimately supporting healthier developmental trajectories and improving long-term mental health outcomes.
References
- Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Bremner, J. D., et al. (2006). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 256(3), 174–186.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Suicide prevention: Targeting the community. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/index.html
- Felitti, V. J., Anda, R. F., Nordenberg, D., et al. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The ACE Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.
- Healthy People 2020. (2020). Mental health. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/mental-health
- Hughes, K., et al. (2017). The impact of adverse childhood experiences on health aspects of life: A systematic review. Journal of Public Health, 39(4), e1–e16.
- Kantor, V., & Bright, C. (2017). Trauma-informed care and post-traumatic growth in childhood trauma. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 30(3), 117–124.
- Sweeney, A., Clement, S., Filson, B., & Kennedy, A. (2016). Trauma-informed mental healthcare in the UK: What is it and how can we further develop it? Mental Health Review Journal, 21(3), 174–192.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2014). Concept of trauma and guidance for trauma-informed approaches. SAMHSA.
- World Health Organization. (2013). Mental health action plan 2013–2020. WHO.
- Williams, R. (2018). Integrating mental health into primary care: A focus on community health. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 35(2), 73–82.