Rural Mental Health and CBT Models - Essay Example

Rural Mental Health Study sheet 1. It is apparent that people living in rural areas have an added advantage in regard to mental health as compared to people leaving in urban areas. However, this depends on whether they get satisfied with their prevailing circumstances as well as the feeling of having attained quality life (Procter et al., 2014). This helps them in mitigating risk of mental illness vulnerability. Additionally, strong social connections, clean air breath, plenty of open space for play and fresh food constitute some of the other benefits of the rural people. Nevertheless, rural people are subjected to vulnerabilities such as untreated mental illness due to few or limited health services and stigma of people with mental illness. 2. Rural people can participate in rural mental health promotion in different ways. Procter et al. (2014) argued that mental health promotion and prevention services are placed in large regional centres. These services are designed in such a way that they target specific communities or events. Some rural events such as agricultural field days are considered focal points for raising different health promotion activities. This is considered ideal because it is cost effective in regard to costs associated with mental health education. 3. Rural lifestyle can be tricky and at the same time healthy lifestyle. The fact of less healthcare centers poses a great challenge for rural people. In the event of attending to instances of health concerns such as mental illness, it becomes difficult to find a health service. Lack of resources to take care of health issues is also a big challenge. Nevertheless, due to availability of fresh food and social cohesion in rural areas, people in rural areas find it a bit easy to help one another in regard to health matters. Study sheet 2 Psycho-educational based on CBT models CBT models are concerned with psychological treatment approach that can be instrumental not only to a one-to-one basis, but also to groups. In this regard, psycho-educational can be applicable in reference to the use of CBT. Educating people on issues pertaining health and especially on mental illness requires the use of CBT groups in advising people on preventive measures of mental illness. This is unlike when addressing specific issue of an individual with mental illness where self help formats are considered most effective and ideal. For instance, when promoting health issues in rural areas, different groups can be educated using the CBT models. This can take place to youth groups, elders meetings and women based groups. Sleep hygiene Sleep hygiene entails practices and habits that are considered conducive to well sleeping. This helps individuals in avoiding sleep associated problems. For instance, insomnia is associated with bad habits reinforced over years. Obeying internal clock within brain has been considered one of the indispensable practices of sleep hygiene. It is argued that getting a good sleep ensures that the body works properly. Good environment is also considered critical in regard to sleep hygiene practice. Engaging in too hard or soft mattresses can determine the quality of sleep. Other things such as avoiding drugs and relaxing mind are part of good practices. Problem solving Problem solving is one of the issues that highly determine the mental health of individuals. Due to many stressing moments and events, people find themselves in a controversy on what to do to get out of the situation. Nevertheless, the right decisions require certain problem solving skills. People with poor problem solving are at risk of developing mental illnesses than those that have. For example, studies have documented that avoiding making decisions when one is angry or under the influence of drugs and other substances constitute one of the many problem solving skills. Computerised CBT (cCBT) Computerised CBT (cCBT) is any computerized system that aids cognitive behavioral therapy by encompassing patient input to draw some suggested treatment decisions. However, this may also include video conferencing and other electronic consultations, but these do not constitute treatment. cCBT can be executed on a range of computing devices such as internet links and other computer generated programs. cCBT is argued to help in saving time that patients would have otherwise consumed if they were to literally visit a psychotherapist. Study sheet 3 1. Although it is important to have goodwill when working in the mental health workforce, it is not all what it takes to be a good mental health worker. There are different professionals that are needed in a mental health facility ranging from nurses, doctors to psychiatrists. For instance, being part of nursing workforce working in a mental health facility would require one to have the knowledge in the field of nursing. The same case applies to other professions. On the other hand, many people do not like working in mental health facility due to the different challenges associated with attending to people with mental illness. However, some people employ the goodwill concept to join the workforce. Such people may not have any knowledge in the mental health sector as they decide to work as volunteers. This is a big challenge because such people require undergoing some training and other sensitisation of how to deal with persons with mental illness. 2. All health workers are regulated by the health practitioners’ competence assurance Act 2003 (Procter et al., 2014). Regulatory authorities set standards of competence. One of the requirements entails the requirement that all mental health workers must be registered health practitioners. This means that the workers must have attended a course related to mental health or studied and qualified as a nurse or a doctor. Therefore, the regulations of the set standards stipulate a certain level of education required for one to be part of the many professionals that attend to persons with mental illness. In this regard, it is apparent that it is not everybody that can qualify to work in a mental health facility. The set standards are actually derived from the educational background of various professionals working as mental health professionals. This is indispensable in regard to executing duties as required. Reference: Procter, N., et al. (2014). Mental health: a person centred approach. New York: Cambridge University Press. Read More