Nurses in Las Palmas call for greater recognition of mental health personnel

The Nursing Association of Las Palmas joins the general claim for greater professional recognition for mental health specialists in the system, so that they are assigned specific functions related to their category and skills.

Currently, the work of specialized mental health nursing focuses on the physical, psychological and social care of people who suffer from mental illnesses or may suffer from them in the future, as detailed this Thursday by the Nursing Association of the eastern province in a statement.

And this work includes, among other tasks, the early detection of mental suffering, the monitoring of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, or emotional support and support for patients and their families.

They also play an important role in promoting self-care, mental health education and the social and labor reintegration of people affected by some pathology of this type.

In their commitment to caring for the mental health of the population, specialist nurses adopt a comprehensive and personalized approach, considering not only the clinical aspects of the disease, but also the social, family and environmental factors that may influence the recovery process.

Their ability to establish relationships of empathy and trust with patients is essential to provide quality care focused on the needs of each person, avoiding the dehumanization of the health system and facilitating communication and coordination between the different professionals involved in the treatment.

For the Nursing Association of Las Palmas, it is necessary to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of mental health nurses by creating sufficient positions of this specialty in the organic staff.

The system cannot afford to waste their capabilities, which can be very useful for the well-being of a population increasingly affected by mental health problems.

In the Canary Islands, about 300 nurses work in the different specialized mental health facilities, 35% in hospitals, 29% in hospital rehabilitation units, medium-stay units or day centers and 25% in community care facilities.

The problem, in the opinion of the professional organization, is not only the insufficient number of professionals but also the situations that hinder their work, such as the workload, the scarcity of resources and the lack of support and recognition to be able to fully develop their work.

According to the Official Association, the International Mental Health Nursing Day that is commemorated this Sunday is an important date to make visible the growing need for nursing care in this area and to raise awareness of the importance of addressing the pending issue of mental health, ensuring that prevention, treatment and care are accessible to the entire population.