Exceptional critical discussion noted
Promoting mental health and wellbeing
Essay – Promoting mental health and wellbeing (1000 words)
Aim of assessment
The purpose of this guided essay is to enable students to consolidate nursing/midwifery issues covered in class materials and to determine students’ understanding of the topics and applications, in preparation for transition into the professional nursing and midwifery workforce. This is a guided essay based on a case study where the students respond by answering a series of questions.
Details
Using EITHER Scenario A or Scenario B- please answer the following questions:
1. Investigate and outline the prevalence/incidence of depression / anxiety (depending on the scenario you have chosen) in Australia – Your answer needs to cover: gender, age groups, specific risk groups, hospitalisations.
2. Using current literature discuss TWO (2) factors that may have contributed to the development of the client’s presentation and mental health concerns.
3. Using current literature discuss TWO (2) ethico-legal issues related to your scenario.
4. Identify TWO (2) nursing/midwifery concerns / problems with evidence from your chosen scenario- Your risk identification should be focused on the next 1-5 days of nursing/midwifery care for your client.
5. For each nursing / midwifery concern / problem you have identified in Question 4, outline and describe TWO (2) evidence based nursing / midwifery interventions (ie; what you would actually do as a nurse / midwife to support the person and how you would do it). Your interventions should be focused on nursing / midwifery care for your client over the next 1-5 days. They must be interventions which you would actually undertake directly with your client within your role as a nurse or midwife. You are also required to provide a clear rationale for each nursing / midwifery intervention (ie. why have you chosen the particular nursing interventions? How will the interventions support the person or contribute positively to their current presentation or concern?) Each intervention and rationale must be supported by current literature.
Scenario A
David has been referred to you in the Emergency Mental Health Community Team by his GP. His GP is concerned about David’s mental health state and risks to self. David is a 23 year old man, currently living with his mother. Both David and his brother, Peter, have a positive relationship with their mum. David’s mother and father divorced when he was 15 years old. Before his parent’s divorce, David had a positive relationship with his dad. However at the time of his parent’s divorce David became very angry towards his dad. David also directed his anger towards his friends at the time and he quickly became isolated from his peers, ultimately leaving school at 15 years old, at the end of year 9. David and his older brother, Peter, aged 25, had shared interests of bike riding and computers during their teenager years. During your meeting with David, he stated that he did feel that he and his brother had a close relationship and friendship. However, he acknowledged that they had become more distance in recent years. David has had three past heterosexual relationships lasting several months. His last relationship finished two months ago. His most recent girlfriend has disclosed she is three months pregnant and does not wish for David to be involved in the care of the baby.
After leaving school, David had a number of part time labourer jobs. Each job lasted for two to three months. His most recent employment, over a year ago, was terminated by the employer as a result of conflict with his colleagues. David had left three of his previous jobs on his own accord as he felt “he just didn’t fit in”. He recalled a constant feeling of agitation and sadness at the time. During your contact with David, he has not worked for at least a year. He has contact with his father and brother every month or so. Many of the contacts with his father and brother end in verbal hostility. During the assessment with David, you notice he becomes distressed and tearful on your questioning. He reports recent weight loss. He discloses he has been having difficulties sleeping, feeling exhausted and increasingly depressed. You make further attempts to find out what has been happening for David and to engage with him. He asks you to stop questioning as he is ashamed of how he is currently feeling. He is worried about letting his mum down as they have always had a positive relationship. He declines to look at you while you ask him about thoughts of suicide. He does not wish for you to have any discussions with his family.
Scenario B
Tracey is a 35 year old woman who presents for assessment to the Emergency Mental Health Community Team. She is six months pregnant with her third child. Her other children, to her ex-partner, are aged three and five. Tracey is in a heterosexual relationship with her partner of one year, Peter. Peter moved in to live with Tracey and her children eight months ago. The children’s father is distressed about Peter moving in to live with his children. There is verbal hostility between Tracey and her ex- partner each time he visits to collect the children for a weekend visit. Her ex- partner frequently states he is making arrangements for court to have full time care of the children. Tracey and her current partner, Peter, are in $35,000 uncontrolled debt after a recent new joint business venture failed. A finance company calls weekly requesting payment. Tracey and her partner stopped making the mortgage repayments three months ago, with the belief that dealing with the uncontrolled debt would be a better option. Her parents are supportive but live in Queensland. Tracey is able to have face to face contact with them once a year. She does chat with her parents over telephone every week if possible. Tracey states she is worried about how she will cope with her two children and new baby. She reports low mood, weekly panic attacks and fleeting thoughts of suicide. During your meeting with Tracey, you note she is fidgety and restless, breathing rapidly, shaking slightly, sweating and tearful. She is not wishing to actively engage with the mental health services, for fear it will impact on her having care of her children, stating she will visit her General Practitioner (GP).
Important details about your assessment
? Refer to marking criteria and standards for mark allocation for each question.
? This guided essay does not require a standard essay introduction or conclusion.
? The use of tables or column layouts to answer questions 4 and 5, is encouraged.
? There is a word limit of 1000 words.
? You are required to organise your answers in order of questions; by referring to the question
number in your answer.
? Marks will be allocated for academic writing and referencing.
Marking criteria and standards:
Assessment 1 – Guided Essay – Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
Investigate and outline the prevalence/incidence of depression / anxiety (depending on the scenario you have chosen) in Australia using current literature. (10 marks). The details related to the prevalence/incidence of depression or anxiety are exceptional and of the highest quality. The answer is well supported by relevant literature. The details related to the prevalence/incidence of depression or anxiety are accurate and of superior quality. The answer is supported by relevant literature.
Discuss using current literature TWO (2) factors that may have contributed to the development of either David’s or Tracey’s presentation and mental health concerns. (10 marks). Discussion consistently conveys evidence of analysis and synthesis showing exceptional understanding of the factors that may have contributed to the client’s presentation and mental health concerns. Sources used are exceptional to support work. Exceptional critical discussion noted. Discussion consistently conveys evidence of critical analysis and shows superior understanding of the factors that may have contributed to the client’s presentation and mental health concerns. Sources used are accurate and superior to support work. Superior critical discussion noted.
Discuss using current literature TWO (2) ethico- legal issues related to your chosen scenario (10 marks). Exceptional discussion related to the ethico-legal issues related to the scenario. Sources used are exceptional to support work. Exceptional critical discussion noted. Superior discussion of the ethico-legal issues related to the scenario. Superior critical analysis and discussion noted. Sources used are of high standard.
Identify TWO (2) nursing/midwifery problems/risks with evidence from your chosen scenario. (5 marks). Exceptional identification of TWO (2) nursing/midwifery problems/risks with clear evidence and relevance to the case study chosen. Superior identification of TWO (2) nursing/midwifery problems/risks with clear evidence and relevance to the case study chosen.
For each nursing/midwifery problem/risk you have identified in Question 4, Outline and describe TWO (2) evidenced based nursing/midwifery interventions and rationales for each. (10 marks). Exceptional; clear concisely written relevant nursing/midwifery interventions. Sources used are exceptional to support work. Exceptional critical descriptions noted. Superior; well written relevant nursing/midwifery interventions. Superior descriptions noted. Sources used are of high standard.
Academic writing & referencing skills (5 marks). Exceptional referencing: both in text and final reference list according to APA style. Extensive, relevant current academic reference list effectively utilised. Publishable writing style and use of language. Superior referencing, with adequate and correct in text and final reference list according to APA style. Comprehensive, relevant, list of current academic references used. Superior writing style and use of language; no errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
