NUR 256 Introduction to Mental Health Nursing: Key Concepts
and Legislation | Complete verified study complete Solutions |
A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
Introduction to Concepts of Mental Health Nursing Part I
Welcome to Concepts of Mental Health Nursing. Psychiatric patients will be seen in every
specialty of nursing. Psychiatric nursing is what could be considered true nursing. Diagnosis is
based on assessment. It is what you see and hear not what the lab said or is shown in the MRI.
It is considered a grey area of medicine because the answers aren’t in black and white. You will
see that patients with psychiatric illness really aren’t much different then people without
psychiatric illness. What is Mental Health?
Mental Illness Defined Mental Health Defined Risk Factors Perception of
Mental Illness Social Influences
Legislation and Mental Health Care
Prior to 1996: The Challenges
In an effort to combat the stigma and poor care provided to those with mental health disorders,
legislation was changed to create better access and improved care delivery. One challenge
before improved legislation was that those with mental health disorders were unable to receive
coverage for their treatment through insurance. If there was coverage, it had lifetime limits on
care, limited hospitalization coverages, and high deductibles or co-payments. This often made
seeking the type of treatment necessary unaffordable for most individuals.
1996: Mental Health Parity Act
The Mental Health Parity Act was passed in 1996 and it required that mental health coverage
provision be similar to that of other medical conditions in both lifetime limits. However, it was
found not long after that insurance companies were inflicting even greater restrictions on the
limits for their mental health coverage. It became difficult for patients to meet qualifications for
treatment.
, 2010: The Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Care
These were foundational steps toward providing equal coverage to those with mental illness.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 improved coverage for those who were
uninsured and who were on Medicaid. People are no longer denied for their medical history,
there are no lifetime limits, and addiction treatment is covered among many other things.
Although this has been essential for many individuals who could not formerly receive
treatment, the lack of providers remains a barrier to services. Also, some medications are not
covered with no suitable alternative.
Introduction to Concepts of Mental Health Nursing Part II Epidemiology of Mental
Illness
Epidemiology, in the realm of mental health, is the quantitative study of how mental health
disorders are distributed throughout a population. This study aids researchers in identifying
areas with a high incidence and prevalence of disease. In doing so, that environment and
various exposures can be studied to identify causative factors or correlations.
Many individuals who have a mental illness also have a comorbid condition. These conditions
can be other psychiatric conditions or a physical illness. This requires the mental health nurse to
be well-versed in physical assessment and treatment of these comorbid conditions.
Diagnostic Tests
There are some imaging techniques that can be used for diagnosis.
• Both a CT and MRI will show structural changes or abnormalities in the brain.
• PET and SPECT scans show functional changes in the brain associated with some mental
illnesses, such as schizophrenia
DSM-5
Used by:
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners
• Psychologists
• Licensed counselors and therapists
• Licensed social workers
• Psychiatric registered nurses
• Researchers
and Legislation | Complete verified study complete Solutions |
A+ Graded | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
Introduction to Concepts of Mental Health Nursing Part I
Welcome to Concepts of Mental Health Nursing. Psychiatric patients will be seen in every
specialty of nursing. Psychiatric nursing is what could be considered true nursing. Diagnosis is
based on assessment. It is what you see and hear not what the lab said or is shown in the MRI.
It is considered a grey area of medicine because the answers aren’t in black and white. You will
see that patients with psychiatric illness really aren’t much different then people without
psychiatric illness. What is Mental Health?
Mental Illness Defined Mental Health Defined Risk Factors Perception of
Mental Illness Social Influences
Legislation and Mental Health Care
Prior to 1996: The Challenges
In an effort to combat the stigma and poor care provided to those with mental health disorders,
legislation was changed to create better access and improved care delivery. One challenge
before improved legislation was that those with mental health disorders were unable to receive
coverage for their treatment through insurance. If there was coverage, it had lifetime limits on
care, limited hospitalization coverages, and high deductibles or co-payments. This often made
seeking the type of treatment necessary unaffordable for most individuals.
1996: Mental Health Parity Act
The Mental Health Parity Act was passed in 1996 and it required that mental health coverage
provision be similar to that of other medical conditions in both lifetime limits. However, it was
found not long after that insurance companies were inflicting even greater restrictions on the
limits for their mental health coverage. It became difficult for patients to meet qualifications for
treatment.
, 2010: The Affordable Care Act and Mental Health Care
These were foundational steps toward providing equal coverage to those with mental illness.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 improved coverage for those who were
uninsured and who were on Medicaid. People are no longer denied for their medical history,
there are no lifetime limits, and addiction treatment is covered among many other things.
Although this has been essential for many individuals who could not formerly receive
treatment, the lack of providers remains a barrier to services. Also, some medications are not
covered with no suitable alternative.
Introduction to Concepts of Mental Health Nursing Part II Epidemiology of Mental
Illness
Epidemiology, in the realm of mental health, is the quantitative study of how mental health
disorders are distributed throughout a population. This study aids researchers in identifying
areas with a high incidence and prevalence of disease. In doing so, that environment and
various exposures can be studied to identify causative factors or correlations.
Many individuals who have a mental illness also have a comorbid condition. These conditions
can be other psychiatric conditions or a physical illness. This requires the mental health nurse to
be well-versed in physical assessment and treatment of these comorbid conditions.
Diagnostic Tests
There are some imaging techniques that can be used for diagnosis.
• Both a CT and MRI will show structural changes or abnormalities in the brain.
• PET and SPECT scans show functional changes in the brain associated with some mental
illnesses, such as schizophrenia
DSM-5
Used by:
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners
• Psychologists
• Licensed counselors and therapists
• Licensed social workers
• Psychiatric registered nurses
• Researchers
