A community health nurse has been asked to develop a plan to improve the local community's negative attitudes toward those suffering from mental illness. Which of the following would best assist the nurse in accomplishing this goal?
A) Read a book about people who suffer from mental illness and try to understand the client's perspective.
B) Interview clients suffering from various mental illnesses.
C) Identify myths underlying the negative attitudes in the community and improve factual information about mental illness.
D) Read descriptions of mental illness from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) to individuals in the community.
Ans: C
Feedback:
The stigmatization of the mentally ill is well established. It is important both personally and as a part of their professional advocacy role for nurses to fight this stigma. To improve negative attitudes among the general public, nurses need to identify the myths underpinning them and improve both their own and the public's mental health literacy.
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