Nursing Stigmatization In Nursing

1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is the essential role of a mental health nurse in advocating increase of awareness of stigmatization of individuals with mental health illness among the health care professionals. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (World Health Organization, 2006). Mental illnesses are characterized by modifications in thinking; mood or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with significant distress and impaired functioning over an extended period of time (World Health Organization, 2006). The symptoms of mental illness vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of

Many of these attitudes were perpetuated in the way the health system treated persons affected by mental illness and those who care for them (Burris, S. 2008). The stigmatization of mental illness are also related to mental health professionals, the institutions for treating of mentally ill people, the medications used in the treatment of mental illness (Burris, S. 2008). Nurses who work with mental health patients for long term are often facing stigmatizing issue (Horsfall, Cleary, & Hunt, 2010). Mental illness affects people in all occupations, education and income levels, and cultures (Abdullah, B., & Brown, T.

Nurse advocacy is motivated by moral and ethical principles. They seek to influence policies by pleading or arguing within political, economic and social systems. There are numerous roles of advocate which have different interpretations of, and applications for (Aranha A.L. et al, 2000). Advocacy is the cornerstone of nursing – nurses advocate for patients, causes, and the profession (CARE USA, 2001). The aim of advocacy is to balance the relationship between the healthcare system and the patients who are served. Shore, M said that advocating is a part of evaluating patient needs, delivering information and education, ensuring access to appropriate care and supporting the patient and family’s decision within the structure of a multidisciplinary team (Shore, M. 2004). Advocacy is alleged to be a means of safeguarding good patient care said by (Aranha A.L. et al, 2000). A variety of professionals claim to be best suited for the position, many stating that the role of patient advocate is natural to their professions (Gordon G, 2002). The position of advocate brings with it certain privileges on the basis of the advocate 's presumed insights into the way patients and perceive their own interests in clinical decision making and increased professional standing (Tenety M, Kiselica M.