Mental Health and Health Needs of People Living in Rural Areas, Essay Example

I strongly feel that attending the conference on management of factor of aggression and violence in forensic mental health was of great benefit for the company. As you all know, the issue of forensic mental health has been on increase in our country.

The major points covered

• Aggression and violence in forensic mental health is a serious matter
• mentally ill patients are a major threat

The importance of this conference was anchored on the premise that aggression and violence in forensic mental health is a serious matter that needs to be addressed nationally. The issues that arose during the conference indicated that, most cases of violence along with aggression experienced by workers at forensic health care settings are attributed to escalating number of mentally ill patients in hospitals. Based on the information, insights, and experiences that I gained at the conference, the matter has been diverse and complex and therefore there is need of managing aggression and violence within the practice of forensic mental health.

Possible solution

Participants tried to identify potential solutions to the problem. One of the listed approach in effectively managing violence and aggression directed towards staff by mentally ill patients, there is a need of ensuring that communication improvement and interpersonal skills between the two parties is maintained (Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003). Poor communication between healthcare staff and mentally ill patients was identified as a critical factor in promoting violence and aggression from patients and especially those suffering from mental illnesses. Therapeutic communication was identified as a crucial factor among the health care workers and can aid in minimizing aggression as well as violence among the mentally ill patients (Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003). Promotion of therapeutic communication by training workers in forensic mental health was identified as an important component in solution.

The government and the general public have an obligation of addressing aggression along with violence that are directed to health care workers and the best approach to control the situation.  This is attributed to the fact that violence and aggression among the mentally ill patients has increased by meaningful margins and therefore requiring government as well as public intervention.

It was clearly indicate in the conference that, doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, patient caregivers in addition to other employees working in forensic mental setting have suffered substantially as a result of this issue. In order for this complex as well as diverse issue of violence and aggression to be minimized among the mentally ill patients, it has to be managed (Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003). The benefits associated with conference can be reflected in the management of aggression and violence in hospitals which is a matter that requires government involvement because of its complexities surrounding it.

It was highlighted in the conference that, a number of cases touching on patients who have been very aggressive to the medical staff. The strategies highlighted at the conference to address the situation include the commitments of hospital authorities as well as the government in general in developing strategies that can restrain these forms of aggressive behaviors in health care facilities. The strategic measures that were suggested at the conference include the involvement of the government to ensure that such aggression and violence activities are drastically reduced and avoided in health care facilities. It was also suggested that, managing patient aggression through means of seclusion along with medication has been highly criticized by several scholars. Consequently, professionals in mental health setting have an obligation of advising the government on the best approach to tackle the seclusion issue. Most of psychologists who attended the conference expressed their view that, attending conferences, workshops, seminars and training courses are very important and that should be incorporated with strategies that identify these approaches. This argument was attributed to fact of existence of has high chances of promoting philosophy that is more proactive towards smooth relationship between patients and workers (Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003). The psychologists therefore expressed the need to commit themselves in introducing conferences, workshops, seminars and training courses on forensic mental health. This is because vital information achieved during such forums play an important role and was proposed by the professional psychologists.

Challenges

Some challenges were identified at the conference. Some government and the private healthcare facilities apply zero tolerance policy that was attributed to patient problems and promoting medical staff and workers to intolerance attitudes to the patients. This was identified as a critical factor and thus need to be addressed in an appropriate position to address the issue. Some professional experts in mental health setting have encouraged healthcare authorities to use de-escalation technique although some have criticized it who argue on the perspective that de-escalation only prevents further escalation. Seclusion is referred to as a factor self-limiting and difficult to comprehend the approaches that touch on de-escalation (Gamm, Stone & Pittman, 2003).

It is my determination that you will consider the benefits anticipated from this conference and thus makes the relevant arrangement for more participation in the future. I stand very grateful for having sponsored my participation during this event.

Reference

Gamm, L, Stone, S. & Pittman, S. (2003). Mental Health and health needs of people living in      rural areas. Rockville, MD: Center for Mental Health Services Department of Health and        Human Services.