Mental health literacy dissemination project

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice project addresses the problem of stigmatization from bedside nurses towards patients with mental illness in acute care medical settings. Nurses within these non-psychiatric environments report a lack of education and skills to effectively care for patients with comorbid mental and physical illness. It has been shown that feelings of fear, apprehension, and insecurity lead to negative provider-patient relationships and diminished professional efficacy. Current literature shares evidence that educational initiatives focusing on mental health literacy improve knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness in healthcare professionals. This project uses the self-efficacy theory and social cognitive theoretical framework, with emphasis on vicarious and verbal persuasion informational experiences, to examine outcomes on mental health knowledge and attitudes of stigmatization. ☐ Keywords: mental illness, mental health, knowledge, attitudes, stigmatization, bedside nurses, education, educational initiative, mental health literacy, acute care, medical settings