Mental Health In The Focus Of Preventive And Promotional Nursing Care In Outpatient Care

Abstract

Mental health is an important component of an individual's health. Challenges to the ability to maintain mental equilibrium, balance and sense of well-being are increasing. The most vulnerable is the health of children and learners, but also that of young people and their parents. In recent years, measures and important documents regarding mental health have been taken in the European Commission of the EU and Bulgaria. An essential part of policies to strengthen mental health are nurses, who carry out a wide range of activities for prevention and health promotion of children and students. In the present study, the attitudes, capabilities and competence of nurses to provide psychological support, promotion of mental health and care for children and young people in outpatient settings are established. A survey was conducted with 124 persons in the month of June, 2023 and sociological and documentary methods were used. The obtained results allow the following conclusions to be formulated: The interviewed people are mostly aware of the national health legislation, which regulates their promotional activity in relation to mental health, and they have the competence to carry it out. Both groups of respondents believe that proper upbringing at home has an important role for the neuro-psychological development and sustainable psyche of the children and learners. Out of six groups of risk factors, nurses and students believe that the first three groups have the most significant importance for disturbances in the psycho-emotional state and health: problems in the family, problems with one's own health and violence. All the people who were interviewed are convinced that multidisciplinary teams consisting of the general practitioner, the nurse, the psychologist and the parents, could have a positive impact on raising and educating citizens with mental resilience and good mental health.