Mental Health MattersImproving Mental Health AwarenessSabella, Donna PhD, MEd, MSN, CRNP, PMHNP-BC Author Information Donna Sabella is a psychiatric mental health NP and a professor at the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster. She also coordinates Mental Health Matters: [email protected]. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. A podcast with the author is available at www.ajnonline.com. AJN, American Journal of Nursing 121(9):p 66-69, September 2021. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000790660.73133.d8 Buy Metrics AbstractIn Brief It's important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and to take action to ensure people experiencing mental health problems receive the assistance and treatment they need. For nurses, this is as true at home as it is at work, particularly so when a person is exhibiting aggressive tendencies or other behaviors that could potentially lead to harm. With the COVID-19 crisis leading many family members to live more closely together for extended periods, nurses should be able to identify concerning behaviors and know what to do if they observe these in their loved ones. The author discusses the importance of raising nurses' awareness about mental health problems and early detection, as well as the need to say and do something when the person experiencing mental illness is in their own home. Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
