Question

Describe the scope of mental illness and the effects on morbidity and mortality worldwide, and describe how the public health nurse should respond.

Answer 1

Mental health is a integral components of health. If any deviation it states mental illness.

Scope of mental illness

• Community psychiatry : It emphasis diagnosis, appropriate referral, care and rehabilitation of mentally ill people in the community.
• Telehealth: Using digital devices such as internet, computer and tele monitoring equipment to deliver the care of patient with mental illness.
• Deinstitutionalization of mental illness.
• Decline in hospital stay for patient with psychiatric disorder.
• Prevention of mental illness slow due difficulty in understanding of etiology if mental illness.
• Limited access to urgent psychiatric care

Morbidity and mortality increase in people with mental illness due ti unhealthy life style, side effect of medication and inadequate care. Suicide and accident are other risk. Faulty life style practice in case psychiatric illness means most of patient have the habits of smoking and alcoholism and poor dietary habits and physical inactivity. Along with medication sides effect causes cardiovascular and respiratory complications like diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, stroke, myocardial infarction etc. The patient reluctant to do the healthy life style due totheir illness and it increase the morbidity and mortality.

Mental illness also associated with increased risk of hepatitis B and HIV. Suicidal risk is another factor increase the morbidity and mortality.

Role of public health nurse.

• Develop an awareness program regarding mental illness, its risk among public.
• Understand physical health in mental illness patient
• Educate the family and care proviers regarding the risk of mental illness
• Conduct the activities improve the life style such as exercise, balanced diet etc.
• Identify the side effects of medication of patient with mental illness and appropriate treatment should be given.
• Promotion of physical health of mental ill patient.
• Participate the primary care giver while rendering the care.