Community mental health care: documenting the role of the nurse

In Australia, the process of deinstitutionalisation has resulted in the closure or downsizing of many large stand-alone psychiatric hospitals. The aim of modern community mental health care is to provide treatment and rehabilitation for people, who have a mental illness, in their local community. This aim is supported by the Australian National Mental Health Strategy that outlines the importance of health professionals, carers, and consumers working together to obtain the best therapeutic outcomes. This study was undertaken to obtain information regarding the current role of the community mental health nurse (CMHN). All community mental health nurses working in the Adult Program at the Directorate of Mental Health Services, Fremantle Hospital and Health Service in Western Australia participated in the study. The study was completed in November 2000. The results showed that the CMHNs' role focused on six main areas. These areas included the day-to-day management of clients, working with carers and their families; crisis work for both existing andfirst time contacts; as well as liaison and advocacy work. Thefinding of this study demonstrate CMHN's work most often with acutely ill and psychotic patients and theirfamilies. Therefore, CMHN's play a pivotal role in promoting and sustaining the philosophy of community mental health care. In addition, the liaison work within the community completed by CMHN's is vital to address the mental health needs of the community and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. The documentedfindings of this study provide challengesfor thefurther expansion of the CMHN's role and the development of best practice initiatives in community mental health care.