title: An analysis of the sociopolitical context of mental health nursing practice.
abstract: This paper will explore the delivery of mental health nursing care within a neo-liberal model of mental health care delivery in New Zealand. Mental health nursing as a socially constructed activity occurs within a particular political context, which determines its role and function. This environment determines the nature of the nurse-patient relationship which is integral to the role of mental health nurses. Critical analysis of the New Zealand Government's neo-liberal health policies will be conducted to explore their effect on mental health care delivery and the nurse-patient relationship. Some of the ideologies and values maintained by current dominant discourses within nursing and the State are discussed. To establish therapeutic partnerships with service-users, mental health nurses are urged to critically analyse their practice and the context in which it occurs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crowe
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009520:New Zealand; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011057:Politics; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*