Reference no: EM133324360
Vulnerable populations consist of individuals who lack the resources or ability to advocate for their own needs. Vulnerable populations often suffer from health issues related to inadequate health care. Social determinants of health such as poverty, age, race, and environment contribute to vulnerable populations (Falkner, 2018). The mentally ill population would be considered vulnerable because of their lack of competence and power imbalance. Lack of competence can result from an inability to take care of themselves or make decisions regarding their care. Lack of power balance results from discrimination, stigma, and stereotypes of the mentally ill (Atkinson, 2007).
One out of eight people, or 970 million individuals, across the globe suffer from a mental illness; however, those suffering from acute mental illness are considered most vulnerable. Every mental illness can have an impact on daily life. At times, an individual who is mentally ill may be a danger to themselves or others or are unable to care for themselves. This compromises their safety and others' safety. Being unable to take care of themselves can also compromise their health. If this happens, we must act as an advocate by placing them on a legal hold to receive treatment for stabilization. A legal hold is signed off by a physician to deem the individual as incompetent of currently make decisions. Lack of access to quality mental health services, lack of prevention services, lack of addressing mental health in a primary care setting, fear of discrimination, and the stigma surrounding mental illness can prevent the mentally ill population from seeking and receiving treatment to manage their illness (Wainberg, 2017). Ethical issues that should be taken into consideration when taking care of the mentally ill is confidentiality, use of restraint and seclusion, autonomy, and building rapport. Nursing advocacy would be beneficial in ensuring ethical practice while keeping the safety of the patient a priority. please reply to this DQ with 2-3 recent references less than 5 years old