39561 - Mental Health Nursing (FO)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student possesses knowledge related to taking charge of the person and his or her family in the context of mental health problems; identifies, plans and evaluates nursing care interventions and collaborates with other professionals in diagnostic-therapeutic-care pathways. Plans and implements preventive, rehabilitative and educational interventions, including in the community setting. Knows the principles and methods of the therapeutic relationship as a shared intervention tool in the multidisciplinary setting.

Course contents

Fundamentals of Mental Health and Psychiatry

Concepts of mental health and mental illness, biopsychosocial determinants, stigma, recovery, empowerment.

Evolution of Mental Health Legislation and Organization of Psychiatric Care

Evolution of mental health legislation, Law 180/1978, organization and structure of the Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addictions (DSM DP), network of community-based, hospital, residential, and semi-residential services.

Integrated Care and Continuity of Care

Multidisciplinary team, integration of health and social care, Case Management, Individualized Therapeutic Rehabilitation Plan (PTRI), Health Budget, recovery, and social inclusion.

Nursing Care Process in Mental Health

Assessment, Nursing Diagnoses, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care, Gordon–Carpenito Bifocal Model, H.E. Peplau’s interpersonal relations model.

Therapeutic Relationship in Psychiatry

Helping relationship, therapeutic communication, active listening, empathy, therapeutic alliance, professional boundaries.

Assessment and Nursing Care in Major Psychopathological Conditions

Anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, nursing care planning, and continuity of care.

Dual Diagnosis and Pathological Addictions

Substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, psychiatric comorbidity, craving, withdrawal, relapse, integrated care, educational and rehabilitative interventions.

Psychopharmacology and Nursing Care

Main classes of psychotropic medications, monitoring of effectiveness and adverse effects, nursing responsibilities, therapeutic education, and promotion of treatment adherence.

Psychiatric Urgencies and Emergencies

Psychomotor agitation, aggression and violence, risk assessment, de-escalation techniques, prevention and management of suicide risk.

Mental Health Assessment Tools

Multidimensional assessment, HoNOS (Health of the Nation Outcome Scales), monitoring of care and rehabilitation outcomes.

Restraint and No Restraint Strategies

Physical and mechanical restraint, care-related, regulatory, ethical, and bioethical aspects, Good Clinical Practices for the prevention of restraint, alternative strategies, and principles of the No Restraint organizational model.

Readings/Bibliography

Barelli,P.,Spagnolli,E. Mental health nursing. Rome: Carocci Faber Publisher,2017.


Carpenito,L.Y. Nursing diagnoses,application to clinical practice. Milan: Ambrosian Publishing House- seventh edition-,2020


Johnson,M. NOC Classification of Nursing Outcomes, Measuring health outcomes. Ambrosian Publishing House- third Italian edition on the original sixth edition-,2020.


Gobbi,P. The organizational model of the nursing case manager in psychiatry: Introduction of the nurse and educator case manager model in an accredited psychiatric facility. Italian Academic Editions,2015


Ministry of Health Recommendation No. 4 October 2008 Prevention of patient suicide in hospital.


Ministry of Health Recommendation No. 8 November 2007 Recommendation to prevent acts of violence against health care workers.


Raucci,V.,Spaccapeli, G.(2013). Fundamentals of nursing in mental health. Rimini: Maggioli Editore.

Teaching methods

Frontal lecture, role playing, clinical case analysis

Assessment methods

Improvement project (to be delivered by e-mail , 7 days before, the date of the examination call;
Oral examination (will focus on the topics stated in the syllabus)

Teaching tools

slides, pc, video projector

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Pio Bartolillo