Analysis of Consumer's Voice in Mental Health Nursing Practice

This essay critically examines the central role of the consumer's voice in contemporary mental health contexts and nursing practices. It delves into the principles of recovery-oriented mental health, emphasizing patient involvement and engagement in care delivery. The essay explores key concepts such as recovery frameworks, the uniqueness of patients, advocacy, peer support, informed consent, patient rights, communication strategies, and the importance of respect and dignity. It highlights how incorporating the consumer's perspective fosters a positive healing environment and promotes person-centered care. The discussion references multiple scholarly sources to support the argument that prioritizing the consumer's voice is crucial for enhancing the quality of life and social inclusion of individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Different strategies are recommended to be implemented by mental health professionals to promote the appropriate recovery of individuals suffering from mental health conditions. The essay concludes by emphasizing the need for collaborative relationships with patients to understand their wishes, opportunities, and strengths.

Running head: NURSING AND MENTAL HEALTH
Nursing and Mental Health
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

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The principles of recovery-oriented mental health practice acknowledge the involvement
and engagement of the individuals in the process of care delivery. Care practices in the context
of mental health service sector focus on individual’s recovery as the process of gaining and
retaining normal course of life. The present essay discusses the statement that "The consumer's
voice is central to all current mental health contexts and areas of practice.” The discussion
analyses how the principles of recovery paradigm can be included into mental health nursing
practice. The paper revolves around concepts such as recovery framework, the uniqueness of the
patients, advocacy, peer support, consent, rights and attitudes, communication, partnership,
respect, and dignity.
The concept of recovery is gaining more prominence in the field of mental health
treatment. Emerging from the perspectives of healthcare consumers and challenging
conventional beliefs regarding the course of treatment, recovery is at present a widely
conceptualized notion involving a process of building a meaningful life (Slade et al., 2014).
Recovery is mostly defined by the individuals them as they are to report whether they are
experiencing recurring or ongoing problems and symptoms related to a mental health disease.
When speaking on the service provider context, recovery brings in a number of challenges in
protecting choice and self-determination of clients (Stuart, 2014). According to Stickley et al.,
(2018) it is to be remembered that recovery in mental health care is not equivalent to cure. The
researchers have to say that recovery is referred to the suitable association of internal as well as
external conditions that enable recuperation from present condition. The internal conditions are
those that the individuals describe themselves such as healing, hope, connection and
empowerment. The external conditions are those factors emerging from the environment that
facilitate the comprehensive recovery process. Considering the patient’s voice in the recovery
process leads to a positive culture of healing. As opined by Fortinash and Worret (2014)
recovery refers to the distinct and unique experience of an individual together with his journey of
addressing challenges brought about by a mental illness. The role of a mental health professional
is to foster an environment that is in support of the recovery efforts of the individuals. Recovery
is to be noted as a core component of changing care practices in the mental health arena.
As pinpointed by Townsend and Morgan (2017) the uniqueness of an individual is be
acknowledged before commencing on the treatment plan as desired. Each individual has his own

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set of values and needs and the preferences of each individual play a crucial role in his recovery
process. Person-centered care approach has been appraised repeatedly in literature for its power
to foster optimal care delivery. Recovery-oriented mental health practice must recognize that
recovery is not just about care; it is about enabling choices for living a purposeful, satisfying and
meaningful life. In this regard, the care professional is to make the individual feel being a valued
member of the community (Parker et al., 2017). Further, professionals are to accept that recovery
outcomes are mostly unique and personal for each person. The emphasis is to be on the enhanced
quality of life and social inclusion. The researchers further highlighted the need of promoting
advocacy for the patients. Advocacy for patients can be maintained by abiding by the
legislations put in place for mental care services. Individuals are to be empowered to take their
own choices and exploit their creativity. In addition, they are to be supported to build on their
strengths and take responsibilities for their future life (Wykes et al., 2018).
Stuart (2014) pointed out the need for peer support in mental health recovery process.
Peer support is an opportunity for patients to achieve considerable recovery through the
promotion of positive mindset and instilling social networking. Peer support creates an
environment where individuals suffering from similar or different mental health conditions can
exchange ideas and experience, thereby enabling a speedy recovery. For the purpose of
successful medical treatment, the informed consent of the individual is to be taken prior to
commencing with the treatment. A person has to be given sufficient information for enabling an
informed decision. This would include an explanation of the purpose of the proposed treatment,
the method, type and duration of the treatment, the advantages and risks of treatment, beneficial
alternative treatments, and other relevant information.
Attitudes and rights of mental health patients can be promoted through active listening
and acting upon key communications from the patients. Human, citizenship and legal rights of
the individuals are to be promoted and protected at all levels. Supporting individuals to develop
and maintain recreational, social, vocational and occupational activities is elementary. Instilling
hope in the individual about a better future supports the individual to live a better life
(Varcarolis, 2016).
Communication and partnership are two interlinked concepts in recovery-oriented mental
health practice. Care professionals must remember that every person is the expert on his own life

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and must, therefore, engage in partnership with the patients to provide care that is of sense to the
individuals. Sharing of important health information with the patients is also a part of
partnership, and two-way communication has been proved foster better care delivery. In this
respect, it is to be mentioned that clear and transparent communication is of utmost importance
(Shawyer et al., 2017). Communication is to be done in a realistic and positive manner so that
individuals can realize their own aspirations, goals, and hopes for recovery (Varcarolis, 2016).
Dignity and respect of the patients are to be promoted by being honest, respectful and courteous
n all forms of communication. Being sensitive to patient’s need and respecting their culture and
beliefs lies at the core of mental health practice. Further, discrimination is to be challenged
within the broader care context (Rose et al., 2015).
In conclusion, different strategies are to be implemented by mental health professionals
through which they are able to promote appropriate recovery of individuals suffering from
mental health conditions. At the core of service delivery lies the need to promote collaborative
relationships with the patient for fostering a proper understanding of his wishes, opportunities,
and strengths. Responding to the individual’s preferences, concerns goals, needs, and values is
critical for ensuring best quality services. Further, professionals are to promote decision-making
led by individuals suffering from mental illness as per the needs and values of the individual.
Demonstrating resourcefulness and empathy is also pivotal for recovery outcomes.

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Reference
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