1. Select an issue or trend that impacts psychiatric mental health practice. Examples include ethical issues, mental health treatment disparities, substance abuse, recovery, or wellness issues.
2. Select one of the phenomena of concern for psychiatric mental health nurses as described by the American Nurses Association et al. (2022) text on pp. 4-5.
Source: American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, & International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses. (2022). Psychiatric–mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). American Nurses Association.
Include the following sections:
I. Application of Course Knowledge: Answer all questions/criteria with explanations and detail.
a. Describe the issue or trend.
b. Provide an example from practice.
c. Discuss how the phenomenon you selected relates to or impacts your selected issue/trend.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Impact of Telepsychiatry on Mental Health Treatment Disparities
Introduction
One of the significant trends influencing psychiatric mental health practice is the adoption of telepsychiatry. This approach involves delivering mental health services remotely through technology, such as video conferencing, phone calls, or secure messaging. Telepsychiatry has gained momentum, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it offers a convenient and accessible way to provide mental health care. However, its implementation poses challenges and opportunities, particularly concerning mental health treatment disparities.
Phenomenon of Concern: Stigma and Discrimination
Application of Course Knowledge:
a. Describe the Issue or Trend:
Telepsychiatry is revolutionizing mental health care delivery by overcoming traditional barriers to access, such as geographical limitations, transportation issues, and stigma associated with visiting a mental health facility. It enables individuals to receive psychiatric care from the comfort of their homes, thereby increasing the reach of mental health services.
b. Provide an Example from Practice:
In a real-world scenario, consider a rural community with limited access to psychiatric services. Through telepsychiatry, individuals in this community can connect with mental health professionals located in urban areas, eliminating the need for long-distance travel and reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment. Patients can engage in therapy sessions, medication management, and crisis interventions via secure video conferencing platforms.
c. Discuss the Relationship between Stigma and Discrimination Phenomenon and Telepsychiatry:
The phenomenon of stigma and discrimination in mental health care settings can create significant barriers for individuals seeking treatment. Stigma often leads to reluctance in seeking help, fear of judgment, and social isolation. Telepsychiatry addresses these concerns by offering a more private and convenient way to access care. Patients can receive treatment without the fear of being seen entering a mental health facility, thus reducing the impact of stigma on help-seeking behavior.
Moreover, telepsychiatry can help bridge the treatment disparities observed in underserved communities where mental health resources are scarce. By leveraging technology to connect patients with providers, telepsychiatry improves access to quality care and reduces disparities in mental health treatment outcomes.
In conclusion, the integration of telepsychiatry into psychiatric mental health practice is a promising solution to address treatment disparities and stigma associated with seeking mental health care. By embracing this trend and understanding its impact on vulnerable populations, psychiatric mental health nurses can enhance the delivery of care and promote better mental health outcomes for all individuals.
