Characteristics of a Healthy Community
According to Foley (2013), a healthy community is composed of different components, wherein the people living in the community have the opportunity to become better for the sake of themselves and their loved ones. Also, a healthy community creates a constant and active community between the leaders and all the members. Specifically, a healthy community has 20 different components (Foley, 2013). A healthy community provides no disparity among members; has a stable economic status, as well as opportunities to make a living; has proper allocation for the educational sector; has sufficient health care providers and health centers; has a suitable environment and non-destructive ecosystem both for the people and animals; makes its members actively participate in different community activities; protects the environment; has multiple sectors which are accessible by all community members; has health information dissemination campaign; has cooperation and teamwork among members; provides adequate shelter for all; encourages members to engage into different civic actions; has equal and good health policies; ensures safe and nutritious food; assures safety of the location; provides opportunities for sensible life; has good and safe transportation system; has productive members; develops the children to be healthy and sound, and; uses statistics for improvement and not for boasting (Foley, 2013).
Among these components, health care is one of the most important. One subcategory of health care is the mental aspect, and the community must adhere to the possible problems brought about by mental illnesses. The health care providers such as the physician and the nurses, and the rest of the community members must work hand-in-hand in order to stabilize and prevent occurrences of mental illnesses for as long as possible.
Prevention Concepts
Prevention is always better than cure, so it is a must for the members to know the different measures in order not to acquire possible mental illnesses. But first, it is important to know the different concepts so that confusion will be prevented. There are three kinds of prevention: the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention is defined as the prevention before the actual disease affects the individual. It includes different programs and regulations such as health policies, information dissemination, and health prevention activities (Institute for Work and Health, 2015). Secondary prevention is defined as the preventive measures done in order not to make a certain illness becomes worse. This is done in early detection stages, which include activities such as screenings and tests, as well as early prescription of needed medicines (Institute for Work and Health, 2015). Lastly, tertiary prevention is done when an illness has already affected most of the system. Examples include maintenance medicines, as well as improvement programs for those who are affected by incurable and recurring illnesses (Institute for Work and Health, 2015). These basic definitions are important to be known by all members so that when other people have discussed these things to them, they will understand further the subject, and they might be able to devise their own health strategies in preventing mental illnesses.
Preventing Mental Illnesses
However, it is not sufficient to only know these concepts alone, there has to be actions and implementations. World Health Organization (2012) suggests that are ways to possibly prevent mental illnesses. The first is to develop the characteristics and behaviors of the people (WHO, 2012). This can be done as early as childhood. The goal is to create a friendly environment wherein the children will develop their positive personalities. Also, this will increase their morale and will be inspired to face their lives and their future. With this, the chances of negative vibes to emerge decreases in the future. It is because it is determined before that people with negative outlook in life have the highest chance to suffer from mental illness, because they look at life at more complicated view. Next is to provide continuous support for the community (WHO, 2012), and it can be done by giving more opportunities for the family and community workers. Encouraging these people is the most effective way to make them have a more positive future. For families, give benefits for their children in the form of educational assistance. For the workers, increase their salaries and give justice to their efforts. These two are just examples, and the community can give more benefits and assistance. Finally, the third is to provide the needed support of those who are unfortunate (WHO, 2012). Give them their initial investments in the form capital in order for them to start earning and provide their own needs in the future. Though it is good to give to those who are unfortunate, it is better, however, to teach them the basic way of living in order for them to become independent and stand for their own future.
Population at Risk of Mental Illnesses
In actuality, everyone is at risks of having a mental illness. However, the World Health Organization (2012) states that it really depends on the individual and the community itself on whether they will have the risks of having a mental illness. It is determined that the mental health of an individual depends on his or her characteristics and outlook in life, the surroundings and the environment, and the social and economic conditions. People who are negative in all or each one of them have higher chances of having mental illnesses (WHO, 2013). It is true that these factors have significant impacts on the mental health of people. This is because once we think too much of ourselves and of the environment, we will carry more stress than the others who live and enjoy their lives. If we will continue to think negatively, mental breakdown is most likely to occur.
The Value of Acceptance
However, if there are people who are affected by illnesses, it is best to accept them for who they are. Do not separate them from normal people. Instead, they must be treated equally like the normal people. This only means that they must not be given special treatment. Let them also learn how to live the life on their own way. However, be sure to always guide them whenever necessary. They might learn at a slower pace, but in their own methods and degree of understanding, they have a sense of learning in themselves. For that, give them the chance to grow. Welcome them openly and do not judge them based on their appearance, their gestures, and their actions. This is a first step in achieving a healthy community. Always remember that a healthy community does not only include the normal people. Eveyone is welcomed, regardless of the conditions and the status in life, as long as there is an understanding and cooperation among the community members.
Mental Health Services
According to WHO (2003), community health centers must have rehabilitation services, mobile health services, crisis services, healing and house services, as well as information services. In every health service. The roles of mental health centers is to organize the different components into specific roles which are to be distributed among the different personnel in the mental health centers. One of those personnel included were the nurses, who are considered to be great assets for the activities and programs, as they are highly knowledgeable enough for leading different activities. The roles of nurses differs on every health service, depending on what the community needed (Kudless & White, 2007). This implies that nurses must be flexible enough to handle all the tasks that are required to finish. More importantly, nurses should be able to provide the best mental health care for the patients in order to save the resources for other important activities. As for the resources needed for mental health centers, these include human resources, quality of health service, high degree of satisfaction, accessibility, and financial resources (WHO, 2003). These resources are considered to be important because they constitute every component of each service. Human resources provide labor and skills. Quality health services provide the most effective methods to be applied in different activities. Satisfaction and accessibility will make patients come back for more efficient health services, while having an easier time to reach the health centers. Finally, financial resources provide the equipment and other materials needed to carry out the important activities.
Possible Psychiatric Nursing Service
In our community, there are times when people suffer from mild to severe mental illnesses. As such, the solution of the government in our area is to provide counseling for those people who suffers from mild depression, anxieties, and loss of confidence. There are available psychologists in our area, and there are also the assistant nurses who are trained in coping with different emotional situations as well. They provide free services for those who needed guidance and advice. People began to appreciate their services well enough, thus, the program is deemed successful.
For those who have severe conditions, there are rehabilitation wards and areas who provide long-term mental health care. Affected people needed to be confined for some time for effective rehabilitation, but they are allowed to be visited by their relatives. Though people separated from their loved ones, giving their alone time with them will make them more inspired to face rehabilitation, and to be with their loved ones as soon a possible.
References
Foley, J. (2013). Defining Healthy Communities. Health Resources in Action: Advancing Public Health and Medical Research.
Kudless, M., & White, J. (2007). Competencies and roles of community mental health nurses. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 45(5), 36-44.
World Health Organization. (2003). Organization of Services for Mental Health. Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package.
World Health Organization. (2012). Risks to Mental Health: An Overview of Vulnerabilities and Risk Factors.
