1. The document outlines principles of mental health nursing. Key principles include accepting patients unconditionally, using self-awareness as a therapeutic tool, and maintaining consistency to contribute to patients' security. 2. It emphasizes the importance of not judging patients, studying their behaviors and interests, and recognizing their feelings. Nurses should also give reassurance in a subtle manner and avoid increasing patients' anxiety. 3. Behavior change is achieved through emotional experience rather than rational interpretation. The overall focus is on treating patients with dignity and respect.

1. PRINCIPLES OF
MENTAL HEALTH
NURSING

2. 1) Patient is accepted exactly as
He is
 Accepting means being non-judgemental.
 Acceptance conveys the feeling of being loved
and cared.
 Acceptance does not mean complete
permissiveness but setting of positive
behaviours to convey him the respect as an
individual human being.
 Acceptance is expressed in following ways:

3. a) Being non judgemental and non-punitive
- The patient’s behaviour is not judged as right
or wrong, good or bad.
- Patient is not punished for his undesirable
behaviour.
- All direct and indirect methods of punishment
must be avoided.
- A nurse who shows acceptance doesnot
reject the patient even when he behaves
contrary to her expectations.

4. b) Being sincerely interested in the patient
- Studying patient’s behaviour pattern.
- Allowing him to make his own choices and
decisions as far as possible.
- Being aware of his likes and dislikes.
- Being honest with him.
- Taking time and energy to listen to what he is
saying.
- Avoiding sensitive subjects and issues.
- Accepting his fears as real to him.

5. c)Recognizing and reflecting on feelings which
patient may express
- When patient talks it is not the content that is
important to note, but the feeling behind the
conversation which has to be recognized and
inflected.

6. d)Talking with a purpose
- The nurse’s conversation with a patient must
revolve aroound his needs, wants and
interests.
e) Listening
- Nurse should be sympathetic listener and show
genuine interest.
f) Permitting patient to express strongly held
feelings

7. 2) Use self awareness as a
therapeutic tool
 a psychiatric nurse should have a realistic self-
concept and should be able to recognize one’s
own feelings, attitudes and responses.
 Her ability to be aware and to accept her own
strengths and limitations should help her to
see the strengths and limitations in other
people too.
 Self-understanding helps her to be assertive in
life situations without being aggressive and
feeling guilty.

8. 3) Consistency is used to
contribute to patient’s security
 This means that there should be consistency
in attitude of the staff, ward routine and in
defining the limitations placed on the patient.

9. 4) Reassurance should be given in
a subtle and acceptable manner
 Reassurance is building patient’s confidence.
 To give reassurance, the nurse needs to
understand and analyze the situation as to
how it appears to the patient.
 False reassurance can also reflect a lack of
interest and understanding or unwillingness on
the part of the nurse to empathetize with the
patient’s life situation.

10. 5) patient’s behavior is changed
through emotional experience and not
by rational interpretation
 Role play, social drama

11. 6)Unnecessary increase in
patient’s anxiety should be avoided
 Showing nurse’s own anxiety.
 Showing attention to the patient’s deficit.
 Placing demands on patient which he cannot
meet
 Direct contradiction of patient’s psychotic ideas
 Passing sharp comments and showing
indifference

12. 7)Objective observation of patient to understand
his behaviour
8) Maintain realistic nurse patient relationship

13.  9) avoid physical and verbal force as much as
possible
 10) nursing care is centered on the patient as
a person and not on the control of symptoms
 11) all explanations of procedures and other
routines are given according to the patient’s
level of understanding
 12)many procedures are modified but basic
principles remain altered.