Date of Learning Log: 24/11/2023
Time: 09:30-16:00
Learning Activity 1: Promoting Mental Health Across the Lifespan
During the learning activity, we discussed the importance of promoting mental health at various stages of life. A university lecturer shared her experiences of living with mental health challenges. We explored the factors that can impact mental well-being at different stages of life and gained knowledge of the specific challenges that certain groups might face. Additionally, we discussed the role of nurses in promoting mental well-being and learned about the effectiveness of social prescribing. Overall, this learning activity was an excellent opportunity to understand mental health promotion comprehensively.
In this session, we had a group discussion about the topic, which made me more active and participative. As a group, we discuss the difference between mental health and mental illness. Several definitions of mental health and mental illness were discussed; we then identified what good mental health is and looked at resources such as the Mental Health Foundation to define good mental health. It was then discussed how mental health problems develop from infancy to adulthood. Furthermore, I gained knowledge of health and social inequalities in mental health.
This class session I attended was essential for my assignment about promoting mental health. During the session, the lecturer shared their personal experience with mental illness, which helped me understand the significance of challenging stigma and discrimination. Additionally, this experience helped you realise the importance of advocating for patients as a nursing associate.
Learning Activity 2: Preventing long-term conditions
During our session, we talked about two important topics: drinking alcohol safely and quitting smoking. I gained a better understanding of the potential risks that come with consuming alcohol above the recommended levels. I also learned about the safe levels of drinking and how nurses can help guide individuals in making healthier choices regarding their alcohol intake. Moreover, we touched upon various factors involved in smoking and how quitting smoking can help prevent long-term health conditions.
The class session discusses the impact of smoking on health across the lifespan. It also describes the effects of smoking on the respiratory system and identifies what cigarettes contain and why they damage health. Additionally, it highlights the knowledge needed to provide adequate care to someone who smokes or lives with a smoker. Finally, it looks at the impact of smoking from a bio-psychosocial perspective, considering the biological, psychological, and sociological factors involved.
Acquiring knowledge about the effects of long-term medical conditions and preventive measures is a crucial skill for nursing associates. As an advocate, individuals need to make necessary changes to their lifestyle per their preferences. Therefore, a nursing associate should guide and advise them on the right path. They should act appropriately by providing information, directing them to the right resources, or referring them to the required support.
KSB ADDRESSED:
Knowledge:
| K2 | Understand the demands of professional practice and demonstrate how to recognise signs of vulnerability in themselves or their colleagues and the action required to minimise risks to health |
| K3 | Understand the professional responsibility to adopt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet people’s needs for mental and physical care |
| K9 | Understand the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people |
| K10 | Understand the principles of epidemiology, demography, and genomics and how these may influence health and well-being outcomes |
| K11 | Understand the factors that may lead to inequalities in health outcomes |
| K12 | Understand the importance of early years and childhood experiences and the possible impact on life choices, mental, physical and behavioural health and well-being |
| K13 | Understand the contribution of social influences, health literacy, individual circumstances, behaviours and lifestyle choices to mental, physical and behavioural health outcomes |
| K14 | Understand the importance of health screening |
| K17 | Understand commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions as applied to delivery of care |
| K18 | Understand and apply the principles and processes for making reasonable adjustments |
Skills:
| S6 | Act as an ambassador for their profession and promote public confidence in health and care services |
| S7 | Communicate effectively using a range of skills and strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges |
| S13 | Apply the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people |
| S14 | Promote preventive health behaviours and provide information to support people to make informed choices to improve their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing |
| S15 | Identify people who are eligible for health screening |
| S16 | Promote health and prevent ill health by understanding the evidence base for immunisation, vaccination and herd immunity |
| S18 | Apply knowledge, communication and relationship management skills required to provide people, families and carers with accurate information that meets their needs before, during and after a range of interventions |
Behaviours:
| B1 | Treat people with dignity, respecting individual’s diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences |
| B2 | Show respect and empathy for those you work with, have the courage to challenge areas of concern and work to evidence based best practice |
| B3 | Be adaptable, reliable and consistent, show discretion, resilience and self-awareness |