In facilitating daily routines and empowering those who suffer from mental illnesses to live normal lives, those health professionals employed within mental health nursing jobs provide an indispensable service to individuals who are adversely affected by such conditions, their families and the wider community in which they live. Such illnesses have been defined as modifications in thinking, behaviour or mood which are associated with depression, distress and impaired functional and social movement over an extended period of time. Those suffering from these health issues may also suffer from physical ailment. The relationship that mental illness patients have with their carers employed in mental health nursing jobs is of central importance to their emotional and physical well-being, with research finding that an individual’s attitude or feelings are closely correlated with the way illnesses are both experienced and the level of success in recuperation and the successful management of such illnesses.

There have been many changes in regards to the approach of healthcare towards mental health and well-being. The regimes of treatment have developed, with a central focus on the location of care being moved away from centralised healthcare institutions to healthcare in the community. There are major benefits to this new approach, including the empowerment of metal health sufferers to remain in their communities, retaining the established social and support networks that have been developed over the years, while staying close to family members. Ensuring that such patients remain part of their community, providing a level of independence and autonomy, while affording healthcare services is essential in the successful recuperation of the patient; mentally, physically and emotionally. The move towards a philosophy of mental wellness is a welcomed change in the underlying principles of the care of metal health sufferers, for both patients and the healthcare industry in general.

Those occupying mental health nursing jobs are confident in a variety of roles and multi-tasking as the holistic approach to caring for this illness is strongly emerging. This holistic approach means that specialist nurses are responsible for a wide range of services and assistance that empowers the patient to enjoy a full and fulfilling life. These tasks range from expert medical care to shopping, homecare, personal hygiene and the like. One of the most important roles, however, is the integration of life in the community that they live in, to breed confidence in the patient to receive a quality of life afforded to all in the community. While at the same time, educating those in the immediate family and wider community to understand, appreciate and include.