RNSG 2213 MH Module
2: Exam 1 Concepts of
Mental Health Nursing
2024-2025
, Key people/developments include Pinel and Tuke. Pinel believed that by treating pts w/
care/concern, they could improve. Changes included insane no longer treated as less than human;
human dignity upheld. Result was asylum movement developed. Concept of "moral care" and
"Asylum" (a safe place); mentally ill persons can improve with humane treatment; mental illness
worsens with stress. Dorthea Dix helps open 32 state hospitals to serve populations that did not
have funds/support for mental health care. - ANS- Benchmark I—Period of enlightenment (1790s)
U.S. nurse and mental health reformer during Period of Enlightenment. Direct role in opening 32
state hospitals that served populations that did not have funds/support systems to access mental
health care/accommodations/services. State hospitals usually located in rural/scenic areas, stately in
appearance, separated by gender, full of light. - ANS- Dorothea Dix
can mean protection, social support, or sanctuary from stresses of life; currently, most often
provokes image of mistreatment and neglect. - ANS- Asylum
Key people/developments include Freud, Kraepelin, Bleuler. Change in thinking—mental illness
could be studied. Resulted in study of the mind and treatment approaches to psychiatric conditions
flourished. - ANS- Benchmark II—Scientific Study (1870s)
development of Lithium, antipsychotic meds, MAOIs, Haloperidol, Tricyclic antidepressants, and
benzos. Significant change in thinking—if some mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances,
then chemicals could restore the balance & people would no longer need to be confined. Resulted in
destigmatization of mental illness; parents and others not to blame; term least restrictive
environment evolved from this discovery. Hope for improvement of previously "incurable" serious
mental illnesses and enhanced quality of life Psychotropic therapy often had sedative effect—would
control behavior rather than improve symptoms. - ANS- Benchmark III—Psychotropic Drugs (1950s)
Response to overcrowding and bureaucracy of public mental hospitals (Chronically mentally ill
"warehoused," sometimes abused and neglected). Fueled by civil rights movement, concept that
patients will be treated better, cheaper in community. Result—massive de-institutionalization &
closure of many state hospitals, leading to increased acuity and strain on emergency services,
increased number of homeless mentally ill. Key development included Community Mental Health
Centers Act. Significant change in thinking—individuals do not need to be hospitalized away from
family/community; people have the right to the treated in their own community. Resulted in
advantage that intervention in familiar surroundings has helped many people; less expensive.
Disadvantage in homelessness linked to deinstitutionalization; many people "slip through cracks" of
system. - ANS- Benchmark IV—Community Mental Health (1960s)
Key development was congressional mandate encouraging advances in brain research, imaging &
focus on biological basis of mental disorders. Significant change in thinking—"if we can understand
the brain, we can help millions of people suffering from mental disorders." Resulted in increase in
2: Exam 1 Concepts of
Mental Health Nursing
2024-2025
, Key people/developments include Pinel and Tuke. Pinel believed that by treating pts w/
care/concern, they could improve. Changes included insane no longer treated as less than human;
human dignity upheld. Result was asylum movement developed. Concept of "moral care" and
"Asylum" (a safe place); mentally ill persons can improve with humane treatment; mental illness
worsens with stress. Dorthea Dix helps open 32 state hospitals to serve populations that did not
have funds/support for mental health care. - ANS- Benchmark I—Period of enlightenment (1790s)
U.S. nurse and mental health reformer during Period of Enlightenment. Direct role in opening 32
state hospitals that served populations that did not have funds/support systems to access mental
health care/accommodations/services. State hospitals usually located in rural/scenic areas, stately in
appearance, separated by gender, full of light. - ANS- Dorothea Dix
can mean protection, social support, or sanctuary from stresses of life; currently, most often
provokes image of mistreatment and neglect. - ANS- Asylum
Key people/developments include Freud, Kraepelin, Bleuler. Change in thinking—mental illness
could be studied. Resulted in study of the mind and treatment approaches to psychiatric conditions
flourished. - ANS- Benchmark II—Scientific Study (1870s)
development of Lithium, antipsychotic meds, MAOIs, Haloperidol, Tricyclic antidepressants, and
benzos. Significant change in thinking—if some mental disorders are caused by chemical imbalances,
then chemicals could restore the balance & people would no longer need to be confined. Resulted in
destigmatization of mental illness; parents and others not to blame; term least restrictive
environment evolved from this discovery. Hope for improvement of previously "incurable" serious
mental illnesses and enhanced quality of life Psychotropic therapy often had sedative effect—would
control behavior rather than improve symptoms. - ANS- Benchmark III—Psychotropic Drugs (1950s)
Response to overcrowding and bureaucracy of public mental hospitals (Chronically mentally ill
"warehoused," sometimes abused and neglected). Fueled by civil rights movement, concept that
patients will be treated better, cheaper in community. Result—massive de-institutionalization &
closure of many state hospitals, leading to increased acuity and strain on emergency services,
increased number of homeless mentally ill. Key development included Community Mental Health
Centers Act. Significant change in thinking—individuals do not need to be hospitalized away from
family/community; people have the right to the treated in their own community. Resulted in
advantage that intervention in familiar surroundings has helped many people; less expensive.
Disadvantage in homelessness linked to deinstitutionalization; many people "slip through cracks" of
system. - ANS- Benchmark IV—Community Mental Health (1960s)
Key development was congressional mandate encouraging advances in brain research, imaging &
focus on biological basis of mental disorders. Significant change in thinking—"if we can understand
the brain, we can help millions of people suffering from mental disorders." Resulted in increase in
