Impact of Mental Health Issues on Overseas Born People - Case Study Example

Impact of Mental Health Issues on Overseas Born People in Australia and Implication for the Nurse Introduction The issue of mental health among overseas born people in Australia has become widely discussed in the recent years. This is owing to the fact that the country has one of the highest proportions of overseas born populations internationally. This is estimated to be approximately 25 percent of the population (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2008). Furthermore, half of these individuals were born in non-English speaking nations. It is clear that migrants have their special health profiles and although they enjoy lower rates to lifestyle related illnesses and hospitalisation however, they experience higher prevalence to mental illnesses. This paper discusses the impact of the issue on individuals, families and the population and its implications to the role of a nurse. Impact on the Individual People with mental health issues face a wide range of issues. To start with, they are at a higher risk for experiencing social problems, increased vulnerability to stigma and abuse, decreased quality of life, lower productivity, higher levels of poverty and more health issues. Access to education is highly compromised in case the mental disorder occurs early in an individual’s life it prevents them from successfully completing their education and careers (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008). It was found that individuals with mental issues are less likely to successfully go through their high school or tertiary education as compared to their counterparts without mental health issues. This negative cycle also contributes to high levels of homelessness among people with mental health issues. In fact, it is estimated that most of the Australian homeless population suffers from serious mental health issues. Furthermore, mental disorders result into decreased individual productivity owing to a decline in performance at work, unemployment and missed work. Mentally ill individuals do not have a source of income and this increases their risk to high levels of poverty. It has been observed that poverty and mental health issues relate in a negative cycle (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008). Poverty is seen as the risk factor for mental health issues. On the other hand, mental health issues contribute to stressors and a wide range of health issues. For instance, individuals that suffer from comorbid depression are less expected to stick to their medical treatment than other patients. Finally, individuals with mental health problems are more likely to suffer from discrimination based on their culture since immigrants are highly discriminated against by the indigenous people. They are more prone to human rights violations since they are unaware of their rights and do not know the right channels to report such incidences. They also experience low quality care and social stigma. Impact on the Family Most mental issues affect individuals in their early twenties and late teens. Whether it is an anxiety disorder, depression or other less common illnesses such as schizophrenia or other bipolar disorder, the illness is likely to manifest itself when the individuals are still living with their family. Even if these individuals are older and have moved out of their homes, the mental health issues not only affect the patients but also impacts on their family (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008). Mental health issues have a ripple effect of families as they result in the creation of tension, troubled emotions, uncertainty and drastic changes in the lives of family members. To start with, the family members should be highly cautious on how they relate and treat the individuals suffering from mental illnesses. The treatment of mental illnesses is expensive and some conditions have no cure, they can only be managed and the treatment costs and incurred by the family members. Families are also forced to take up care giving responsibilities for the individuals suffering from mental health issues. This happens with minimal support and training and at times forced to forgo their own needs. The family members have to undergo training in some incidences and this makes them better in provide better care to mentally ill family members (Australian Nursing Federation, 2009). Dealing with mentally ill individuals causes stress the family members and distracts their daily lives as they are forced to dedicate their time and resources while taking care of the patients. Families are unable to work to their optimum capacity owing to the demands of taking care of the patients resulting into a reduction in the household income. This reduction in income coupled with the increased costs of taking care of the mentally ill individuals may result to increased levels of poverty. Finally, there may be intra-family conflicts resulting from the mentally ill patients. Population Impact The overseas population in Australia is approximately 25 percent and this has been influenced by mental illnesses in a number of ways (Australian Nursing Federation, 2009). This proportion of the population is discriminated against in the treatment of mental illnesses as the indigenous people are given the first priority. This has a negative important of overall productivity in the population as the individuals suffering from mental illnesses in this population do work and therefore do not have an income (Australian Nursing Federation, 2009). This increases the occurrence of high poverty levels among the members of the population. Mental illnesses result into lower education achievements and productivity among the population as the patients cannot go through high school or even through higher education. Mental health issues cost the population huge amounts of money as treatment of such conditions is highly expensive. These conditions lead to increased conflicts in society especially in situations where the members of society do not understand the behaviour of mentally ill patients. In other words, there is increased stigma against mentally ill individuals in this population (Australian Nursing Federation, 2009). These populations experience higher levels of human rights violation as they are treated as inferior members of society. Finally, there are likely to be higher incidences of homelessness that results from mental illnesses. Implications for the Role of the Nurse Nurses make up the largest professional group in the health care sector and therefore are in a unique position to assist immigrant mental health patients in Australia towards achieving sound mental health. It is therefore important for nurses to understand the issues facing this population with regards to mental health. Health is defined as ‘state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO) (Happell, 2004:42). Nurses therefore have the duty to promote health within society. The most important responsibility for nurses is facilitating health promotion for patients and educating individuals on how they can remain health. This means that they can educate individuals on the risk factors that increase prevalence to mental illnesses (Lyn and Glenda, 2010:32). Nurses are also required to have a practical understanding of the considerable influence that can be made through health promotion initiatives and pas this information to the public. As individuals become increasingly aware of the procedures that are required to maintain positive health and become more informed about their health status and that of the people around them resulting into an overall health improvement in society. An important concept in nursing patients with mental illnesses in the population is holism. The concept underscores the importance of the spiritual and psychological factors of the nurse when caring for the needs of patients (Happell, 2004:45). Provision of nursing health depends on the ability and willingness to address all the issues facing the patients so as to achieve optimum health care. The mental health needs of individuals are seen as a key issue in provision of health care. Incorporation of mental health care into basic health care has become a significant issue both locally and globally. This concept is known as mainstreaming that has been completely implemented in Victoria State in response to initiation of the Mental Health Policy. This process is characterised by a key shift of psychiatric services from psychiatric hospitals to general health institutions (Jane, 2009:235). This process was meant to increase the patient’s access comprehensive and quality health care and minimise the level of discrimination and stigmatisation experience by overseas individuals with mental health conditions (Happell, 2004:46). Consequently, nurses deal more frequently with individuals from diverse culture experiencing mental illness. Initially, nurses did not have the appropriate knowledge and skills to deal with patients suffering from mental health issues and did not enjoy caring for patients with specific mental disorders. However, this has changed as the nurses are expected to have the relevant knowledge that is involved in taking care of mentally ill individuals. Nurses in general hospital settings pay more attention to physical care rather than psychological care. This is largely influenced by the inadequate mental health information in nursing courses. This calls for the incorporation of mental health content in nursing studies and in their daily application within the general hospital setting. Nurses have the most contact with mentally ill patients therefore can play an important role in detection of mental illnesses and behaviour. The practice is going through drastic changes with issues of mental health care becoming increasingly important in nursing instruction. Nurses are trained to be responsive to individuals suffering from mental health issues. Nurses are required to be more responsible to issues of mental health to create synchronicity between mental and physical health (Happell, 2004:47). The significant role played by nursing in dealing with the mental needs of patients in health care setting in highly important to the holistic approach discussed approach. Nurses are required to uphold the policy in meeting the needs of mental patients. Nurses are expected to be culturally competent when dealing with overseas born individuals. Culture is an important aspect that reflects the thoughts, values, customs and beliefs of individuals from different social, religious and ethnic groups (Wortans, Happell and Johnstone, 2006:79). Competence on the other hand means that an individual is able to work in varying cultural contexts and behaviour within a given social group or community (Happell, 2004:46). This concept enable nurses to work efficiently in culturally diverse situations such as the one discussed in the paper. Cultural competence also means the nurses should posses the sensitivity, awareness and knowledge to meet the cultural needs of the population, groups and families. Nurses should be willing to learn and accept the differences among these social groups while dealing with the mentally ill patients. From the above discussion it is clear that most of the overseas born individuals are likely to have lower incomes and this reduces their capacity to deal mental illnesses. There is also a direct relationship between poverty, homelessness and prevalence of mental illnesses among immigrants in Australia. For this reason, nurses should be aware of the other needs of their mentally ill patients. It is also clear that mental illnesses affect the patients’ family members as they are forced to deal with high stress levels while caring for these patients. For this reason, nurses are advised to counsel their family members and educate them on how to deal with the mentally ill patients (Happell, 2004:42). Nurses should also consider the education level of the mentally ill individuals and their families. Finally, nurses are required to demonstrate cultural diversity with respect to language and communication. Some of the mentally ill patients that are born in overseas countries do not understand English that is the national language. This underscores the benefits of a bilingual or multilingual workforce and if it is not possible, an interpreter should be provided. Conclusion The mental health of overseas born people is one of the widely discussed issues in the health care system in Australia. Meeting the health needs of culturally diverse groups is one of the major challenges the nursing role in the Australian context. This is because the country has one of the highest proportions of immigrants in the world. Mental health issues affect overseas born people owing to the fact they face a higher number of social problems and are away from their family and friends hence are more likely to face such problems. This will continue impacting on the nursing role in Australia. References Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008) Code of ethics for nurses in Australia, viewed May 26, 2014 from . Australian Nursing Federation (2009) Primary health care in Australia: A nursing and midwifery consensus view. Commonwealth of Australia (2008) Australian multiculturalism for a new century: Towards inclusiveness, viewed May 26, 2014 from . Daly. J., Speedy. S. & Jackson, D. (eds.) (2009) Contexts in nursing, Australia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone. Happell, B. (2004) ‘Mental health issues within the general health care system: Implications for the nursing profession.’Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 41- 47. Jane, S. (2009) Patient and person: interpersonal skills in nursing, Chatswood, N.S.W. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. 231- 254 Lyn, T. & Glenda, V. (2010) Promoting health: the primary health care approach, Chatswood, N.S.W. Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Australia. Wortans, J., Happell, B. & Johnstone, H. (2006) ‘The role of the nurse practitioner in psychiatric/mental health nursing: Exploring consumer satisfaction.’ Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, vol. 13, pp. 78–84. Read More