Understanding mental health care

Resources for students, nurses and professionals

Explore a selection of chapters that bring clarity and depth to the complexities of mental health nursing and care. Whether you're a student, educator, or practitioner, this reading guide brings together key chapters that explore everything from child and adolescent mental health and dementia care to inclusive care, prescribing guidelines and mental health policy. Each chapter is packed with evidence-based insights from our books to support your learning and practice.

Want to use our books in your teaching? Visit each book’s page to learn more and request your free inspection copy directly from there.

Read: Understanding child and adolescent mental health conditions

An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health edited by Maddie Burton and Clive Sealey

From depression and anxiety to eating disorders and neuro-developmental conditions, get an evidence-based introduction to some of the mental health conditions affecting children and teens.

Read: Championing equalities and addressing vulnerability in mental health

care

Essentials of Mental Health Nursing edited by Karen M. Wright and Mick McKeown

Addressing migrant women's experiences, the impact of gender-based violence and the need to decolonise treatment approaches, this chapter analyses challenges in supporting the mental health needs of Black, Asian, and other ethnic minoritised groups.

Read: Mental health law, mental disorders and the availability of medical treatment

Mental Health Law in England and Wales edited by Robert Brown et al.

How can you balance legal duties, professional discretion, and patient care? This chapter examines the meaning of mental disorder and recent legislative changes which affect mental health professionals, including the broadened use of compulsory powers and ongoing questions about safeguards and detention thresholds.

Read: Relationship-based approaches to dementia care

Caring for People with Dementia by Christine Brown Wilson

Explore relationship-based approaches to dementia care, focusing on individualised, person-centred, and relationship-centred care. This chapter highlights how these approaches form a continuum, allowing caregivers to adapt their practice to the needs and context of each person.

Read: M ood-stabilising medications

The Nurses' Guide to Mental Health Medicines by Elizabeth J. Holland

When are mood-stabilising medications used, and how do they work? Discover how they help manage bipolar disorder, explore the most commonly prescribed treatments, and learn practical ways to support patients.