Continuing research in to the nature of human psychology and mental health is now providing health care professional more insights to develop treatment, therapy and rehabilitation that is more sensitive to the needs of patients but also considers more the reality of patients’ lives. Developments in technology and health care services are changing the field of mental health nursing. Concurrent researches in the fields of psychology and sociology have revealed the importance of mental health and the programs that promote and support mental health care.
Today, these trends have continued to emphasize the importance of creating rehabilitative mental health programs that encourage re–socialization and empowerment of mental health patients. Simultaneously, the nursing profession is seen the need to be more active in mental health care. The nature of nursing itself is a great foundation for developing mental health programs that follows closely patients’ progress. In the United States, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders recognizes this role and prescribes the role or nursing professionals as well as their potential for the field.
A comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of mental health diagnoses, illness and treatment is a knowledge base that all medical professionals should have. Current trends in nursing have indicated that nurses are dealing more with mental health conditions than before. This development maybe because of advances in mental health that have allowed better detection of mental illnesses but it can also be indicative of increasing mental health illness prevalence. Regardless of whether the increasing trend is because of positive or negative reasons, the reality is greater demand for mental health care.
