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Coping with life experiences
is easier said than done. It is usually assumed
that it is each individual's aim/desire in life
to attain a certain degree of independence from
their parents, but losing that loving, caring
comfort can be quite a shock from which some individuals'
fail to recover.
Children are usually part of a family unit, who
must, sometimes by law, protect and defend their
offspring, promote social integration and acceptance,
facilitate intellectual development, foster a
spirit of enquiry and enable natures maturation
processes to occur at specific times in life.
Stress, with so many definitions/interpretations,
presents itself in a myriad ways, often slowly,
subtly causing increasing levels of distress and
manifesting itself to different degrees.
Stress may be due to one or more causes, such
as:- parental disinterest or neglect, family disunity,
peer group rejection, bullying, failure to succeed
academically, financially, emotionally or socially,
inability to create or maintain interpersonal
relationships with members of own or opposite
gender, different or same age group(s).
An individual may experience disturbances of sleeping,
eating, thinking, concentrating, walking, talking,
relaxing, socialising or performing aspects of
self care such as washing, dressing or toileting.
Trends in modern living, such as retaining peer
group support, striving to succeed/advance at
work experimenting with different substances (some
legal, some not), living beyond personal abilities
or financial resources or wishing not to be refused
entry to "status" groups or organisations,
has increased pressures for many members of society.
Effects of ageing and loss of motivation have
also been identified as causes of mental deterioration.
Pressure for whatever reason, may result in loss
of self esteem and a downwards spiral may occur.
Rarely is loss of self esteem contained within
an individual. Parents, family, loved ones, friends,
colleagues and carers experience discomfort, loss
of belonging / being needed and are often rebuffed,
rejected or neglected. An individual may not realise
or may not wish to acknowledge they are experiencing
stress or mental differences / deterioration /
impairment, so can not understand why people speak
or behave differently towards them. A vicious
circle of self depreciation, rejection of and
by others results, with increasing discomfort
or distress. Loving / caring may be replaced by
embarrassment, repulsion or rejection, increasing
the pressures on the individual affected.
Mental Health Nurses play a vital part in assisting
people to recognise the causes of the possible
effects of stress, identify coping strategies,
clarify personal aspirations / goals, plan daily
activities which can restore self pride and esteem,
reduce hostility of and to others, assess own
abilities 'accept changes in lifestyles, adjust
to changing employment or unemployment and maintain
some degree of personal motivation to regain as
much independence as possible.
Nursing care may be delivered on a one to one
basis, in small client groups or mixed client
and carer groups. Mental Health Nurses play a
key role in the Primary Health Care Team and may
offer support, guidance or advice within a Community
Health Centre, Community Day Care Facility, client's
own home or within residential settings within
the local community or local hospital. Working
as a valued member of the multidisciplinary team,
Mental Health Nurses may liase with members of
many other professions, so that care is based
on a thorough assessment, planned to facilitate
not dominate the clients restoration towards independence
(as far as possible/realistic) delivered in a
non judgmental style and evaluated from many perspectives.
Mental Health Nurses also play an important role
in health education and promotion, seeking the
general public to recognise and appreciate the
beneficial and harmful effects of stress. A stimulus
to motivate oneself, may actually be a harmful
stressor to another. Appreciating individual differences
and supporting individual ways of coping are essential
if we are to live as a harmonious society.
Reducing dependence on substances such as alcohol,
food, chemicals or tobacco, which may have provided
an initial boost in self esteem, but can have
a debilitating effect on the mind, body, finances
and behaviour of some members of society is vital
if social tolerance and integration are to be
realised and maintained.
Most programmes for Mental Health Nursing are
now offered by Universities, which enables recruits
to attain either a Diploma of Higher education
or Degree as well as securing entry to the Professions
register of Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors.
Programmes are usually of three years duration,
with 45 weeks per year planned activity / attendance,
constructed with two distinct parts(halves). The
first part/half - referred to as a Common Foundation
Programme, concentrates on the acquisition of
knowledge, with some exposures to the four distinct
client groups - Adults, Children, individuals
with Mental Health problems and individuals with
Learning Disabilities.
The second part/half of the programme is client
specific with the emphasis on the application
of knowledge and the enhancement of skills and
confidence/competence.
Individuals with a mature outlook, commitment,
compassion and drive should obtain further information
from the relevant organisation.
For Diploma programmes, applicants MUST possess
the entry criteria (5 GCSE at grades C or above
equivalent) before application can be processed.
For Degree programmes, applicants possessing or
studying for Higher education qualifications of
'A' levels, or other post schooling qualifications
(BTEC, GNVQ, Access to Higher education) are considered
and a conditional offer to a programme may be
made.
Further information
For further information about the availability
of Diploma Programmes, contact:- Nursing and Midwifery
Admissions Service Fulton House, Jessop Avenue,
Cheltenham, Gloucs. GL50 35H Tel: 01242 223707
For further information about the availability
of Degree Programmes, contact:- Universities &
Colleges Admissions Service Fulton House Jessop
Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucs. GL50 35 H Tel: 01242
222444
The Author:
Norman Long Senior Lecturer, Department
of Nursing and Midwifery,
De Montfort University Leicester
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