Impact Of Stigmatization On The Service Of Mental Health Nurses

Question: Discuss about the Impact Of Stigmatization On The Service Of Mental Health Nurses. Answer: Stigmatization is an important issue that affects the healthcare service provided by the mental healthcare nurses. This, along with discrimination and negative behavior leads to create a situation that hampers the overall wellbeing of associated patients (Mrtensson, Jacobsson Engstrm, 2014). The working environment has a tremendous impact on the behavior of mental healthcare nurses towards the patients affected with mental impairments. The purpose of this assignment is to understand the impact of such stigmatized mental healthcare nurses on the provision of contemporary mental healthcare services. The first impact can be seen in case ofnursing professionals who have less knowledge, experience and education level regarding mental healthcare that effect their positive behavior towards such patient. Further according to Hansson, Stjernswrd Svensson (2014), it was determined that mental healthcare staffs working as out-patient care were able to behave positively to their patient whereas, in-patient care staffs were having negative behavior due to burnouts. Thirdly, Henderson et al., (2012) determined that contact hypothesis is the prime reason for the negative attitudes in healthcare professionals and increased communication and contact has the ability to remove the stigmatized behavior of such professionals towards mentally ill patients. Further, the working environment has also determined to have impact on the nature of staff towards mentally ill patients and the difference in their education and knowledge determines the level of competency and positive attitude for patients. T he reason behind this can be the social prejudice, discrimination and differences that determines social norms and abnormalities. Therefore, such social discrimination and stigmatized attitude exists between two different levels of healthcare professionals (Mrtensson, Jacobsson Engstrm, 2014). References Hansson, L., Stjernswrd, S., Svensson, B. (2014). Perceived and anticipated discrimination in people with mental illnessAn interview study.Nordic Journal of Psychiatry,68(2), 100-106. Henderson, C., Evans-Lacko, S., Flach, C., Thornicroft, G. (2012). Responses to mental health stigma questions: the importance of social desirability and data collection method.The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry,57(3), 152-160. Mrtensson, G., Jacobsson, J. W., Engstrm, M. (2014).Mental health nursing staff's attitudes towards mental illness: an analysis of related factors.Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing,21(9), 782-788.