WIT News
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National research examines challenges faced by community mental health nurses Posted: Mon, November 9, 2009 |
Doctoral research completed by a lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at Waterford Institute of Technology has found that community mental health nurses in Ireland face significant challenges around managing what they regard as excessive caseloads and in delivering services to increasingly diverse communities drawn from an ever-growing range of cultures.
Dr Jarlath McKenna’s two-phased study examined the lived experience of community mental health nurses. Themes to emerge during the research included the administrative burden reported by community nursing personnel; different patterns of mental illness in new communities; limited ICT (information and communications technology) support; heavy caseloads; perceived lack of a clear career structure; sometimes rigid working models; occupational stress and professional isolation.
In considering their work, community mental health nurses also reported growing concerns about fragmentation of Irish society and a loss of defined community structures and supports. They reported increased cries for help, evidence of substance misuse, deliberate self harm and stigmatisation of those with mental illness.
Accepting a copy of Dr McKenna’s doctoral thesis for inclusion in the Institute’s library, Prof Kieran R Byrne, Director, Waterford Institute of Technology said: “This research contributes significantly to developing a more complete understanding of the issues faced by frontline staff in delivering mental health services in a community context. The challenges that it highlights can provide the basis for further analysis by policymakers and practitioners.”
Dr McKenna added: “Community mental health nurses are among the unsung heroes of the Irish health services. This study provides a clearer understanding of the complex role of these clinical nurse specialists. The conclusions, implications and recommendations have the potential to reduce the lag in evidence-based provision across both policy and practice. Closer north-south cooperation is also required in leading research and development in neuroscience/mental health. This can build the capacity for recovery and positive mental health across the island and lead international mental health practice.
“One of the recurring messages coming through from those I interviewed is that service delivery needs to better reflect a very changed society. It is also clear that the nurses I engaged with feel they have a balancing act to carry off given their heavy caseloads and some of the wider work they are expected to be involved in around mental health promotion, clinical supervision and professional development.”
Dr McKenna also recently presented his research at the sixth annual mental health conference held at the University of Ulster’s Magee Campus to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
