Mental Health Challenges

450 million people worldwide are affected by a mental health problem. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime (Mental Health Foundation, 2016). There are many challenges those affected by mental health illnesses will encounter. One of the most prevalent challenges faced by those with mental illness is the ability to overcome social stigma and seek proper treatment. People with mental illness are not only affected by social stigmas but stigmatized by family, friends, and employers. In one study of 156 patients and spouses of first admission psychiatry patients, 50% reported attempting to conceal the illness from others (Phelan, Bromet, & Link, 1998).
Stigma is not only inflicted by others but by oneself …show more content…
As Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) we will work with patients and often their entire family throughout their lives diagnosing, treating and managing acute and chronic illnesses. As previously stated 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime (Mental Health Foundation, 2016). Therefor as FNPs we will frequently encounter patients suffering from mental illness, whether it is at the time of initial diagnosis or managing a lifelong illness. For this reason we need to have care plans in place to appropriately treat our …show more content…
According to the Journal of Advances in Psychiatry Treatment acknowledging the existence of prejudice is an essential first step in managing the disease. This entails the patient discussing adverse experiences such as bullying at work or school and family difficulties. This will require the patient to recognize these stigmatizing experiences and allow for the possibility of overcoming them. This discussion also allow for the FNP to get a closer look into and learn more about the patients’ home, work or school life and the struggles they face in suffering from a mental illness (Byrne,