Title : Presence in the management of adolescents with mental health illnesses: A conscientious reflection on presence
Abstract:
The developmental stage of adolescents is characterized by various psychosocial changes. Studies have shown that various mental health conditions commence at this period constituting a huge disease burden to the individual and to the mental health care providers such as mental health nurses. The prevalence of mental health illness among adolescents is at an increasing rate. The aim of this paper was to critically review literature on presence and to reflect on presence practice as a crucial need in the management of adolescents with mental health illnesses and to demonstrate the need for connecting and attuning for good care and positive outcome in the management of adolescents with mental health illnesses. Achieving good care and a positive outcome necessitate presence practice. Mental health nurses should pay close attention to the care receiver and be able to immerse themselves in the world of an adolescents with mental illness to better understand what is best for the individual. The paper concludes that mental health nurses as frontline caregivers should always endeavor to connect and attune care to the needs of the adolescents receiving mental health care to foster positive outcomes. Integration of presence practice in the management of adolescents with mental health illnesses fosters positive outcomes hence should be an approach to care adopted by mental health nurses.
Keywords: Adolescents, attune, management, mental health illness, presence.
