Mental Health Promotion

The aim of this assignment is to discuss the role of a mental illness nursing student in the promotion of mental health. This assignment will define the meaning of the term ‘mental health’, discuss the importance of mental health promotion in relation to the Irish context, what health promotion is and how a nurse can promote health through the health promotion approach of empowerment as identified by Naidoo and Wills (2009).
Contrary to popular belief, health is much more complex than merely the absence of a disease or disability. Health is described as “everyone achieving his or her potential to enjoy complete physical, mental and social wellbeing” (Department of Health 2013). Mental health, on the other hand is a state of wellbeing whereby

2008 and WHO 1984 as cited by O’Carroll and Park 2007). Being mentally healthy allows an individual to live their lives to its full potential and contributes to them functioning healthily as individuals, within a family, community and society (Department of Health and Children 2009) Mental illnesses and the awareness of mental health problems are on the rise in Ireland in recent years (Barry et al. 2009) therefore it is crucially important that a mental health nurse is consistent and up to date when it comes to promoting mental health to service users.
As a healthcare provider, it is important to be constantly promoting as well as maintaining a service user’s mental health and wellbeing. The nurse is the one healthcare provider that comes into the most contact with service users, thus it is important to make every interaction with service users count (Percival 2014). When promoting mental health the student should aim to take any action that will better the mental wellbeing of an individual (Kirby et al. 2004). Mental health is a growing economic, health and social issue within Ireland. The Department of Health’s (2013)

Many people may confuse health education and health promotion to have the same meaning when in fact they are not. Health education is having the knowledge to make an informed choice, whereas health promotion is “making the healthier choice the easier choice or the process of enabling people to increase control over and to improve their health” (Department of Health 2000). Health should be promoted by the nurse whenever they come into contact with a service user. This applies heavily to all areas of health. Nurses should grasp every opportunity to address any health issues the service user may have, whether it be a smoking habit or the weight of the service user (Percival