Mental Health Policy for Nurses
- Ian Hulatt - Royal College of Nursing, UK
Policy determines much of what nurses actually do on a daily basis, which means it is essential for nurses to engage with policy if they are to understand their own practice. Mental health nursing in particular has been shaped by a variety of policy factors in the past fifty years. In this new textbook, edited by the mental health advisor to the Royal College of Nursing, a range of experts in their field introduce the essential elements of mental health policy to students and experienced practitioners. The book covers a broad range of areas, including settings for care and the historical context, policy affecting various diagnoses and service user groups, and how policy is translated into action. Clinical examples are drawn on throughout, to help students think about the real-life context of what can be a difficult subject.
It will be essential reading for pre-registration mental health nursing students, and valuable to those working in practice who want to gain an understanding of policy.
‘This book offers a range of differing perspectives on mental health policy. I like the mixture of exercises available in particular – these will help prompt reflection and discussion for the reader.’
Understanding the impact and implications of policy on mental health practice is an essential part of our work, particularly at a time of considerable and turbulent change. This book is grounded in informed and accessible information that will help make sense of the complexity that is political reform in the field of mental health practice.
...I found the chapter overviews helpful and the various authors a plus. The reflective activities will be valuable to the student in self-reflection, as we all tend to learn more once presented with a different view from our own and are made to reflect on that view...Anyone working in nursing, from the student, the novice nurse, to the experienced nurse should read this book...
A useful resource for the student looking to gain an understanding mental health policy a useful and well written resource.
Very well written and covered topic area nicely in an area that is not well covered in the literature.
For any student who would like to take a more critical approach to understanding mental health policy from a theoretical viewpoint this is essential reading.
Excellent coverage of policies and their relevance across many subjects/conditions. Very comprehensive.
An excellent book. Up to date discussion of the changing policy context in mental health
A good clear guide for students of mental health nursing.
This is useful reading for anyone working in the field of mental health. I found this book to be reasonably straight forward to read consequently accessible to anyone from student nurses to professionals with many years experience.
