Psychiatric nursing for promotion of mental health and prevention of depression in the elderly: a case study

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 115 - 124
• Main Authors: HEDELIN, B., SVENSSON, P.-G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.04.1999; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aged - psychology; community; Community Health Nursing - methods; Depression - nursing; Depression - prevention & control; Depression - psychology; Female; health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Nursing; Nursing Evaluation Research; nursing interventions; Organizational Case Studies; prevention; Program Evaluation; psychiatric nurse; Psychiatric Nursing - methods; Self-Help Groups - organization & administration; Social Support; Sweden; Sweden
• ISSN: 1351-0126; 1365-2850
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2850.1999.620115.x

The aim of this case study was to describe and analyse the basic pre‐conditions for an intervention programme focusing upon mental health promotion and prevention of depression in an elderly community group and to discuss the psychiatric nurse's community‐oriented health promotion work. The intervention programme, which was led by a psychiatric nurse, was built on intersectorial co‐operation between public and voluntary organizations, development of social networks to promote social support, and target group participation. The nurse's function in the community‐oriented work was to act at the individual, group and society level, as well as to mobilize resources among individuals and organizations, in order to create a favourable interaction, resulting in health and empowerment for the individual. Pre‐conditions for leading this work were: knowledge of health and mental ill health among the elderly, investigation methodology, knowledge about the local society, as well as pedagogical, supervisory and social competence.