Posted: June 16th, 2023

The Role of Adult Nurses in Providing Psychological Assistance

# The Role of Adult Nurses in Providing Psychological Assistance

Nursing is a profession that involves not only physical care, but also psychological care for patients. Adult nurses, who work with patients aged 18 and above, often encounter various mental health issues and behavioral problems in their practice. Therefore, they need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide effective psychological assistance to their patients and their families.

## What is Psychological Assistance?

Psychological assistance is a broad term that encompasses different types of interventions that aim to improve or support the mental and physical well-being of people with mental health conditions or behavioral problems. According to the American Psychiatric Nurse Association (APNA), psychological assistance may include:

– Assessing mental health needs and developing a nursing plan of care
– Implementing the plan and evaluating its effectiveness over time
– Helping patients regain or improve coping abilities
– Administering psychotropic medications and helping monitor and manage their side effects
– Promoting factors and environments that help prevent further disability
– Promoting general health
– Assisting with self-care activities
– Administering and monitoring psychobiological treatment regimens
– Providing health education, such as psychoeducation
– Assisting with crisis intervention or management
– Offering basic counseling, such as general guidance or other types of interpersonal support
– Carrying out the role of case manager to help coordinate and support care with other healthcare professionals
– Participating with patients in recreational activities
– Conducting group or family therapy sessions
– Helping educate families and other interpersonal support members about mental health issues and lifestyle factors that may help improve or worsen someone’s condition

Psychological assistance can be provided in various settings, such as inpatient and outpatient general and psychiatric hospitals, doctors’ offices, assisted living facilities, long-term care centers, rehabilitation centers, private homes, correctional facilities, community mental health centers, local, state, and federal mental health agencies, private clinics, schools and colleges of nursing, behavioral care companies, military clinics or hospitals, etc.

Psychological assistance can also be tailored to specific populations, such as children, adolescents, adults, older adults, women, men, veterans, refugees, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with substance use disorders, people with chronic illnesses, people with disabilities, etc.

## Why is Psychological Assistance Important?

Psychological assistance is important because mental health is an integral part of overall health. Mental health affects how people think, feel, act, cope with stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health also influences physical health outcomes, such as chronic diseases, immune system functioning, pain perception, wound healing, etc.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people in the world will be affected by a mental or neurological disorder at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions. This makes mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.

Mental health problems can have serious consequences for individuals and society. For example,

– Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
– Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.
– People with severe mental disorders die 10-20 years earlier than the general population.
– People with mental disorders experience stigma and discrimination that can limit their access to education, employment, housing, health care, and social support.
– People with mental disorders are more likely to experience violence, abuse, neglect,
exploitation,
human rights violations,
and social exclusion.

Therefore,
psychological assistance is essential to prevent,
treat,
and rehabilitate mental disorders,
and to promote mental well-being for individuals,
families,
communities,
and societies.

## How Can Adult Nurses Provide Psychological Assistance?

Adult nurses are in a unique position to provide psychological assistance to their patients,
as they often have frequent and prolonged contact with them,
and can establish trusting and therapeutic relationships. Adult nurses can use their knowledge,
skills,
and attitudes to:

– Identify signs and symptoms of mental distress or disorder in their patients,
and refer them to appropriate services or professionals when needed.
– Assess the psychological needs of their patients,
and develop individualized care plans that address their physical,
emotional,
social,
and spiritual aspects.
– Implement evidence-based interventions that are suitable for the patient’s condition,
preferences,
and goals.
For example,
adult nurses can provide psychoeducation,
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT),
motivational interviewing (MI),
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR),
relaxation techniques,
problem-solving skills training,
etc.
– Evaluate the outcomes of the interventions,
and modify the care plan accordingly.
– Collaborate with other members of the multidisciplinary team,
such as psychiatrists,
psychologists,
social workers,
occupational therapists,
etc.,
to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care for the patient.
– Advocate for the patient’s rights,
needs,
and interests,
and help them access the resources and support they need.
– Educate the patient and their family about the nature,
causes,
treatment,
and prevention of mental disorders,
and how to cope with them effectively.
– Provide emotional support and empathy to the patient and their family,
and help them build resilience and hope.
– Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards,
and practice self-care and supervision to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.

## Conclusion

Psychological assistance is a vital component of nursing care for adult patients with mental health conditions or behavioral problems. Adult nurses can use their competencies to provide holistic, person-centered, and evidence-based psychological assistance to their patients and their families, and to improve their mental and physical health outcomes. By doing so, adult nurses can also contribute to the global efforts to reduce the burden of mental disorders, and to promote mental well-being for all.

## References

– American Psychiatric Nurse Association. (n.d.). What do psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) do? Retrieved from https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3292
– Botti, M., Endacott, R., Watts, R., Cairns, J., Lewis, K., & Kenny, A. (2006). Barriers in providing psychosocial support for patients with cancer. Cancer Nursing, 29(4), 309-316. https://doi.org/10.1097/00002820-200607000-00010
– Medical News Today. (2021). Psychiatric nurse: What they are, how they can help, and more. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psychiatric-nurse
– NurseJournal. (2023). Mental health resources for nurses. Retrieved from https://nursejournal.org/resources/nurse-mental-health-resources/
– World Health Organization. (2019). Mental health: Strengthening our response. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response