This assignment provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of how material discussed in this course

This assignment provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of how material discussed in this course has the potential to inform your practice. An important dimension of mental health nursing is to develop an understanding of the impact of living with a mental illness on an individual, from the perspective of intersectionality. In other words, how do individuals experience and manage a condition from within their world of being man, woman, LGBTQ+, homeless/impoverished or privileged, and from within their ethno-racial space? Usually, the most relevant perspective about these dimensions of an individual’s experience is obtained from the person him/herself, even though this perspective is often non-reflective (and that is part of the challenge). The purpose of this assignment is to explore the notion of intersectionality, specifically how a person experiences the impact of different societal forces on her/his efforts to navigate through living with a chronic/persistent condition and/or how their illness impacts their experience relative to the two social determinants. You are asked to focus your analysis on two dimensions of the following: an individuals gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status (consisting of either or both of economic status and social support), and sexual orientation/identity. As well, you are asked in the final section to discuss how your knowledge of the individuals experience of living with a mental illness from these the perspectives of these two social determinants, along with related literature, informs the care you provide to her/him. First, for this assignment, get to know (through the many avenues available to you patient, family, chart, staff, his/her response to your relationship) a person in your clinical placement, who is living with mental illness. Thus, you will be describing as much as you can, from an individual patients perspective, her/his understanding of her/his situation/experience, through her/his world. Include examples to illustrate the nature of the person’s experience, using her/his own words when possible (Use quotation marks but you dont need to reference). A persons words are often the best data since they directly reflect the person’s narrative about her/his experience and its impact on her/his life. Nevertheless, some patients may be unable or unwilling to articulate their view of themselves in the world, which is understandable. In these cases, data from staff, charts, or family members (keeping confidentiality in mind) involved in care may help you understand the person better. While this information cannot replace that provided by the patient, it may be helpful for your paper. Keep in mind that some of your own perceptions/ interpretations will be hypothetical and nonconformable; and, this assignment is undertaken with the utmost respect for the individual. If you encounter challenges with this paper, feel free discuss them with your teaching assistant. To enhance a more inclusive and informative discussion, you are encouraged to raise questions in class. For the most part, a consultation of course literature may suffice, and this literature must be drawn on, although for some topics, and for some patients, outside articles can enhance the quality of the paper. Some suggestions on how to approach this paper:

1. Write an introduction (1/2 to 1 page) explain, using references appropriately, how the intersection of various societal factors can impact individuals, focusing especially on the idea of intersectionality.
2. Next, describe the person for whom you cared and her/his illness, recent illness experience, and related pathophysiology (up to 1 page in total) so the reader understands what you know (based on the literature) about the physiology of the condition and the symptoms the patient is living with.
3. Then, from the perspective of the two social determinants you have chosen (gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, social support, sexual identity, etc.), analyze how the social determinants affect the persons experience of living with a mental illness and/or how the illness impacts this persons life from the perspective of this dimension of intersectionality. Intersperse your discussion of data about the person with literature about the illness and the social determinant throughout your analysis, to show how various writings inform your understanding of these dimensions of the persons experience.
4. Next, write up a thorough subjective and objective assessment of the client. Subjectively, how does the client feelhow does he/she verbalize such feelings and perceptions. How does the client view his/her world and support around him/her? How much emotional pain, shame, or happiness, does the client share? How much is the client in touch with reality (via words)? Objectively, what do you observe about the client? How is he/she dressed or present to you? What kind of affect, expression or response, are you seeing? Is the client voluntarily engaging or interacting with others? At what level? Is the client participating in activities?
   Illustrate this assignment by quoting directly one or more specific standards from the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Scope and Practice Standards (e.g. Standard 10 Quality of Practice).
5. What are some possible solutions for this client? What would you recommend to enhance level of functioning and support, access to care, etc.? Finish up by writing a conclusion or summary paragraph, where you self -reflect and state what you have learned from this assignment. Length: 3-5 pages not including references and title page, double spaced, font size of 12. Use of APA format is required. Please consult your resources about proper paper format, title page format, numbering pages, margin size… Editing is critical and influences the overall quality of the paper. Use of the first person is acceptable and often necessary. There is no need to reference Personal Communication from the patient or staff as this is a clinical paper about your practice, and your sources, if you identify them clearly, will be evident to the reader. Please do not use real names.