Psychiatric treatment, an early adopter of Inclusion
Inclusion, the third leg of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) has been a hot topic lately. It is defined as the act of making resources and opportunities accessible to marginalized groups. And while the country is suddenly taking notice of these efforts, the psychiatric community has been advocating it for over fifty years now.
Inclusion is at the heart of psychiatric treatment’s current rehabilitative approach, which is two-pronged in nature:
- Treatment aims to improve the well-being of the patient and their ability to interact with their environments.
But environments that are constantly stressful can limit the patient’s ability to make a full recovery.
- This calls for added efforts to improve their environments, make resources accessible and have inclusive policies to ensure equal access.
The rehabilitative approach seeks to
- Take into account real-world challenges of people living with mental illness
- Support patients keeping their autonomy and aspiring for lives of their choosing
- Develop resources that enable patients to enjoy:
- Benefits of community
- Education and career growth
- Social health
- Participation in society
The responsibility is shared among a wide network of mental health professionals, social workers, government institutions, educators, policy makers and allies. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), you can be one of the key stakeholders in this process.
A psychiatric facility can be the safest corner of the world for the patient. A place where they can be without judgement, and heal like no-one’s watching. Incorporating inclusion into your professional attitude can help create an environment that fosters recovery.
Inclusive care revolves around the patient’s perspective. It is recovery-oriented, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive. It is driven by empathy, respect, shared decision-making, relationship-building and the willingness to accept the new and the now.
References:
Rössler, W. (2006, October 1). Psychiatric rehabilitation today: an overview. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1636112/
Okoli, C. (2023). Inclusive mental health care is responsive health care. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 29(1), 79–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/10783903221141894
