nursing models

2.Parents of children with disabilities such as chronic mental illness experience many challenges compared to parents of children who do not suffer from these chronic illnesses. These challenges affect not only parents but the whole family unit. Whenever a parent receives diagnostic news that their child is suffering from a chronic condition such as mental illness, many emotions, from shock to grief and even anger towards life, are experienced (Hunter Revell & McCurry, 2020). These emotional experiences are almost similar to when a person loses a particular person to death. These parents need time to adjust to the new normal in their life and its good to note that during this time, their parenting and caregiving to these children and their families may be affected. Note that mental disorders in children may result from adaptive responses to some circumstances in their life. In such a case, intervention is needed to improve and address the child’s mental health and the events leading to that (Efilti, 2022). Children with this type of disability affect their families in some ways, but research shows that parents of these children also experience difficulties. That is why nurse-provided social and social network support is needed for these parents to care for their children properly.

Professional nurse-provided social support

Social support refers to any physical, psychological, monetary, or even emotional support provided by either medics or the community surrounding the affected party (Mburia-Mwalili, 2022). One of the ethical demands in the nursing practice is caring for both the patients and their relatives. This involves focusing on the medical procedures and routines and the affected parties’ mental well-being. Nurses need to gain the trust of the parents of the children with chronic mental illnesses so that they can feel free to address their concerns with these nurses. The nurses connect with these parents by caring for their mentally ill children and, in the process, can offer all the support needed by these parents as they deal with their children’s conditions. In 2012, the International Council of Nurses concluded that problems arising from mental health should be well understood, including supporting the affected families. For a nurse to be able to provide support for both the mentally ill child and their parent, they require to be dedicated, be patient and have the ability to give attention to both the sick child and their parents.

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Nurse-provided support to parents of children with mental illness may vary from giving extra care to the affected child, ensuring their well-being, being empathic with the parents, and providing them with therapy to cope. Studies show that, even after a child is taken through psychiatric medication, it is essential to treat the whole family unit as they are all affected by the child’s mental problem (Efilti, 2022). Through this, the parents and the rest of the family can get the support they need. Another nurse-provided support to parents is enrolling them in specialized support programs that may involve them getting more informational help concerning their children’s psychiatric journey.

Social network support

A parent’s social network can provide them with social support by giving them affirmations, encouraging words, providing guidance, and just being there for them. Some of the support these networks can offer include informational help, material support as well as emotional support (Hunter Revell & McCurry, 2020). Informational support may include offering helpful information and materials to gather more knowledge on dealing with the situation. Material support may be in terms of finances, while emotional support may consist of talking to these parents, listening to them, and offering guidance. It is believed that high-quality social support can be of great significance to both mentally ill child and their parents, improving their overall well-being.

In conclusion, parents of children with chronic mental illness experience a lot of distress and depression. This is because the main focus of care is the sick child, and their Parents’ mental health is forgotten in the process. That is why both social network support and nurse-provided social support are essential to these parents because their well-being positi