With the advancement in the field of medicine, the definition of health has changed over the years as now not only physical health but also mental health has gained significant attention. Mental health mainly refers to the person’s emotional and behavioral well-being. The main focus of the two articles is mental health. The article, Nursing advocacy for women veterans and suicide, is a comprehensive literature review exploring the lives of veteran women after the wars and how nursing can play a significant role in advocating the communication of women veterans (Conard, Armstrong, Young, & Hogan, 2015). The extensive literature review has explored the lives of veteran women and their minds as well as their behavioral health issues. The women who participated in the Vietnam war, gulf, and global war on terror were part of the literature review. The advocacy campaign was that any women visiting health facilities should be asked if they have served in the military and if they have they should be referred to a nurse’s advocacy, assessment, and action. The advocacy campaign was effective because the advocacy campaign was developed carefully considering the traumatizing experience these women might have gone through.
However, the focus of the study, Factors for success in mental health advocacy, was to examine the enabling factors and barriers which are associated with mental health advocacy in low-income countries (Hann, Pearson, Campbell, Sesay, & Eaton, 2015). The qualitative study was conducted in the community of Sierre Leone and the target population was key influencers and memberships groups who have expert knowledge of mental health advocacy impact. The key barriers which were impacting the mental health advocacy were the framing issues as mental health is not a government priority, resource mobilization which includes lack of funds, and resources as well as the lack of awareness among general public.
Mental health is an issue that needs attention and over the years the stigmatization of mental health has been reduced. One of the main problems in advocating mental health issues is the lack of awareness. The advocacy campaign will be about educating students about mental health and sensitizing the community about the issue. For example, the campaign will be carried out via media such as pamphlets in the local language, group conversations, and newsletters. The target population for the advocacy campaign will be primarily students but it will also indirectly target the community members and other political stakeholders. The advocacy campaign will mainly focus on students because in this rapidly developing world the students are suffering from several mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. So, the advocacy campaign will devise workshops and media resources to help the student cater the issues on their own by seeking professional help. Also, the services of school psychologists will be acquired and students will be encouraged to use the services. It will be ensured that the confidentiality and trust of the student are built with a psychologist so they can share the issues openly. It is essential to make the student aware that mental issues are as dangerous as physical health issues. With these campaigns, the policymakers will be reached out using the media and other resources. It will also reach out to insurance companies to cover mental health issues along with physical health.
The two advocacy campaigns described in the two articles are totally different as the different aspects of the advocacy were taken into account. The focus of the advocacy campaign by Conard et al. has focused on the women visiting health facilities. The nurses should be built a trustworthy relationship with women as the women have been traumatized and might have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the initial assessment, the nurses should listen carefully to the stories and experiences of the women, therefore, can strengthen the advocacy for these women. Having and acquiring the care and guidance along with medical complexities as well as devise the actions for the advocacy process. On the other hand, the article by Hann et al. has investigated the factors which can impact a mental health advocacy campaign in a low-income country, and in the case of this study is Sierre Leone. The enabling factors for advocacy aims were coordinating with stakeholders and using awareness methods as well as other activities which will advocate the mental health among community members. However, there are certain barriers such as lack of funds, partners for mental health networking, and lack of awareness among community members.
Health coverage and health policies mainly focus on the physical health of the individual and community members. Society tends to degrade people with mental health and even in educated communities, mental health issues are being stigmatized. The major objective of the proposed policy will be to raise awareness among students regarding the importance of mental health. The awareness campaign methods can differ based on different issues and students’ levels of understanding.
