2. Objectives
General objective: Enhance the knowledge regarding Community
Mental Health Nursing
Specific objectives: At the end of the session you will be able;
• To explain aims of establishment of the community mental health
nursing
• To discuss the responsibilities of community mental health nurse
• To explain the role of community mental health nurse
• To discuss the functions of community mental health nurse
3. Establishment of the community
mental health nursing
• Overcrowding of hospitals
• First community mental health nurse – 1954 - UK
• Promote community care influencing change in attitude towards
psychiatric illness.
• Availability of psychotropic drugs
• Management of psychiatric patients has changed from a hospital-
based to a community-centred policy.
• Recommendations in the 1959 Mental Health Act
4. Sri Lankan context
• Decentralization
• Mental health act – 2010
• Special training
• Work within and outside of the institution
• Member of multidisciplinary team
5. AIM….
THE MAIN AIM OF ESTABLISHING
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH NURSING IS;
“TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE LIFE OF
PATIENT”.
6. Role of community mental health
nurse
• Promotion of health and well-being
• Prevention of ill health and management of risk factors
• Early intervention
• Rehabilitation and chronic disease management.
• Mental health nursing care includes, with the person’s consent,
collaboration other health professionals, family, carers and other
support persons nominated by the individual receiving care.
7. Levels of prevention by community
mental health nurse…
• Primary prevention
• Secondary prevention
• Tertiary prevention
8. Responsibilities of community mental health nurse
in each prevention levels…..
• Functions in Primary prevention
• Identify the client
• Advocate for individuals to assure implementation of appropriate
interventions
• Assure protection of rights and privacy
• Assure that individuals understand the complaint and grievance
procedures
• Refer and connect individuals with medical, psychiatric, and other
healthcare providers relevant to managing their case
9. Functions in Secondary prevention
• Administer medications
• document response
• maintain accurate medication lists
• document and report medication errors
• Utilize a motivational approach to engage individuals in treatment
10. Secondary prevention cont..
• Assess the individual’s medical and nursing needs
• make recommendations for an individual-centered service plan
• Provide education regarding;
mental illness,
physical health concerns,
chronic disease management,
wellness
relapse prevention
medications
to patients, families, care givers and team members
11. Functions in Tertiary prevention
• Coordinate with pharmacies(clinic) to ensure timely delivery of
appropriate medications
• Evaluate the effectiveness of all medical and psychiatric services
• Provide additional coordination
• Advocacy or intervention when necessary
• Talk to patients about their problems
12. Tertiary prevention cont…
• Discuss the best strategy to deliver their care
• Develop rapport with patients to build trust
• Listening to and interpreting their needs and concerns correctly
• Help patients and their families in combating stigma associated with
mental illness
• Encourage patients to take part in therapeutic activities (including art
and role play)
13. Tertiary prevention cont…
• Assess and plan nursing care requirements
• Visit patients in their home to monitor progress
• Perform risk assessments with regards to their safety
• Welfare
• Identify when patients are at risk of harming themselves or others
