Mental Health and Mental Illness in Paramedic Practice

1. Introduction to mental healthcare in paramedic practice: The provision and context of mental healthcare in Australia
2. Caring and person-centred mental healthcare: Stigma, discrimination and the role of culture
3. Communication and the therapeutic relationship
4. Stress, arousal and emotions
5. Assessment: history taking and the mental state examination
6. Legal and ethical issues in pre-hospital mental healthcar
7. Physical health and mental health
8.1 Mental health across the life span: Caring for the mental health of children and young people
8.2 Mental health across the life span: Caring for the mental health of older people
9. Caring for a person with anxiety
10. Caring for a person with changes in mood (‘affective’ disorders)
11. Managing risk, suicidal ideation and suicide attempt
12. Caring for a person who has self-harmed
13. Caring for a person with psychosis
14. Caring for a person with substance use and mental health concerns
15. Managing challenging behaviour and workplace violence
16. Understanding personality and changes in personality
17. Common psychological interventions
18. Psychopharmacology

With increasing prevalence, paramedics are commonly dispatched to pre-hospital settings where mental health and mental illness are essential considerations in paramedic practice and approaches to treatment. Mental Health and Mental Illness in Paramedic Practice is the first text of its kind – a resource specifically written by expert clinicians and academics solely for the Australian and New Zealand paramedic context.

The text introduces fundamental concepts and theories in mental health and mental illness in the context of paramedic principles of care. It delves into topics such as person-centred mental healthcare; communication and the therapeutic relationship; and legal and ethical issues – all within the realm of paramedic practice. The textbook steps students through common patient presentations in the pre-hospital setting and offers practical guidance in applying appropriate approaches to treatment.

• Case studies accompanied by critical thinking questions are incorporated throughout to assist with application to practice
• Demonstrates relevance to real-life scenarios through consumer vignettes and paramedic stories
• Special considerations embedded in each chapter, including: cultural considerations; ethics and ethical dilemmas; inter-professional practice, application and considerations; and ongoing care / other modes of care
• Review questions included at the end of each chapter to ensure reflection on key topics and concepts
• Strong focus on evidence-based research and practice
• Core components of undergraduate paramedicine addressed
• An eBook included in all print purchases

By Louise Roberts, BN, BHSc(Hons) (paramedics), PhD, Lecturer Bachelor of Paramedic Science College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia and David Hains, BN, Director, Left Turn Solutions; Adjunct Lecturer, Paramedic Unit, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia