Reaction Paper: Mental Health

Reaction Paper
Mental health refers to a state of mental and emotional instability. This state of instability effect rational thought processes, which effects physical health. When mental health becomes impaired perception becomes impaired. This impairment can affect behavior. The book entitles, 19 minutes, narrates the life of a high school boy and how years of being bullied resulted in mental impairment. Throughout the book the effects of bullying and lack of support system is portrayed. The main character in the book exemplifies depression and the consequence of it being untreated. The book also sheds light on the importance of understanding that depression in addition to other mental illnesses has it causes. The author attempts to demark

The case of Peter was an extreme but it demonstrates the importance of the disease. Depression can affect anyone and usually occurs because of a traumatic event (sight). In the case of Peter, it was the result of bulling. Student who are bullied are at an increased risk for depression and other psychological issues such drug and alcohol abuse, poor relationship skills, and psychosomatic problems (Cyberbullying). However depression tends to affect more vulnerable groups such as women. Women are twice more likely than men to experience depression (Website). One major reason for women being at an increased risk is due to women having babies. Postpartum depression occurs in 30% of mothers related to a mother’s fear of not being able to care for her newborn (PPD). In addition, women are more likely to take on the caregiver role, which also increases the risk of depression. Being a caregiver requires the caregiver to put in a lot of time and work into caring for someone else. Putting all this effort into taking care of someone else can result in neglect of self-care increasing the risk of developing depression

Nurses are advocates and educators of health. In making, others aware of mental health illnesses such as depression nurses can promote acceptance and treatment. Education is the key. Education helps others understand the disease and can help ameliorate some of the stigma toward depression (stigma). Education includes teaching families about the effects of the environment on mental health (cyberbully). It is also important to teach the family signs and symptoms of mental health, such as a change in behavior or in mood. The next step would be teaching the family how and when to intervene. The family needs be taught when changes are notice communication is crucial and that seeking help from a medical professional is important