How Healthcare Assistants Can Support Mental Health Patients

Health Care Assistants are the unseen heroes who support mental health patients and contribute significantly towards the overall care and recovery of the patients. The paper presents some practical strategies and approaches that can be undertaken by HCAs while offering effective support, building trust, and improving the well-being of mental health patients.

Understanding Mental Health

Mental health describes a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which affects the way people think, feel, and behave. Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are a few forms of mental health challenges can present. Understanding the condition and its influence is key to the carer giving empathetic and personalized care.

Establish Rapport and Relationship

Active Listening
Give undivided attention to the patients.
Use verbal and non-verbal hints, such as nodding and maintaining eye contact, indicating one understands.

DONT interrupt or judge.

Empathy and Compassion

Recognize how patients feel and acknowledge what was stated.

GENTLE, warm, patient remember that this can be very PERSONAL and possibly sensitive in nature of mental health concern.

Maintaining Confidentiality

Respect your patient’s right to privacy information kept private.
Sharing can only be viewed by professionals directly as part of the circle of care regarding only specific services taken.
Help the patients establish a daily routine that gives structure and stability to the patient.
Assist in planning events to help patients practice self-care including hygiene, nutrition, and exercise.

Promote Independence

When appropriate, allow the patient to do things for themselves.
Guide but do not complete the task yourself to build confidence and independence with the patient.

Monitor Physical Health

Observe for physical symptoms that could relate to mental health diagnoses such as fatigue or changes in appetite.
Encourage physician visits and treatment plan follow-through.

Communication Techniques

Use Plain Language

Avoid using medical terminology; rather, explain the concept in terms that can be understood.
Be straightforward and concise leaving no room for confusion.

To the Patient’s Needs

A patient who seems nervous or frustrated may need to be spoken to slowly and calmly.

Also, some clients may comprehend more if pictures or notes are used.

Reassurance

Let them know how helpful it is to come for assistance.

Assist them in recalling past successes and better times to create hope. Crisis Situations The goal is to de-escalate the situation by remaining calm and speaking in a calming tone of voice.

Avoid demonstrating frustration or alarm as this may increase the patient’s agitation. Crisis Interventions
Institute emergency interventions if the patient is suicidal or violent.
Call for immediate assistance and ensure the patient is in a safe area. Crisis Intervention
Provide a non-threatening environment in which the patient can express their feelings.
Use grounding skills, such as deep breathing or focusing on senses, to help them self-soothe.

Supporting Long-Term Recovery

Encourage Social Connections

Arrange group activities or individual therapy sessions that the patient should attend.
Help them communicate with their friends and family to prevent them from feeling alienated.
Educate Patients About Self-Help Resources
Explain how to cope, ways to relax, and different mental health apps available.
Refer to community resources such as support groups or helplines.
Promoting Patient Needs
Assist them in communicating likes and dislikes to the healthcare team.
Their needs are being met, such as through counseling or occupational therapy.

Self-Care for HCAs

Caring for mental health service users is emotionally demanding. In order to care appropriately for their service users, HCAs must take good care of their own mental health:

Practice effective stress management techniques such as mindfulness or journaling.

Attend supervision or peer support as an opportunity to talk through challenges and share ideas.

Ensure a healthy work-life balance in order not to experience burnout.

Conclusion

The role of a healthcare assistant in the life of a patient with mental health disorders is important, and it is much more than the provision of physical care. HCAs can establish trust and promote independence, being flexible toward individual needs, thus helping their recovery. Empathy, communication, and commitment to self-care will enable the HCA to contribute to a compassionate and effective mental health service.