Foundational Mental Health Assessment 2

Assessment 2

Purpose 

Mental state examination and therapeutic communication skills are fundamental skills of a nurse working with consumers with mental illness. This assessment will provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of each component of the mental state examination, while also engaging with effective oral communication techniques.

Oral presentations assist in the development of the important skills required in nursing handover. This presentation provides the opportunity to present your information to an audience whilst developing skills in verbal and non-verbal communication. This is also a key graduate capability and a critical skill for your future employment opportunities.

Task Details

This assessment requires you to record a video of yourself demonstrating systematic, foundational mental health assessment skills. In this video, you are to communicate a completed mental state examination on one of the below consumer presentations. You will need to supply the script/transcript of what is said in the video. 

Assessment Summary

Assessment Purpose:
This assessment focuses on mental state examination (MSE) and therapeutic communication skills, which are fundamental competencies for nurses working with consumers experiencing mental illness. It also emphasizes oral communication skills required for effective nursing handover and professional interaction.

Key Pointers to Be Covered:

1. Mental State Examination (MSE):
   • Appearance, behavior, and attitude
   • Speech and language
   • Mood and affect
   • Thought processes and content
   • Perception
   • Cognition (orientation, memory, attention)
   • Insight and judgment
2. Therapeutic Communication Skills:
   • Verbal and non-verbal communication
   • Building rapport with the consumer
   • Listening and responding empathetically
   • Using open-ended questions
3. Presentation Skills:
   • Clear articulation of findings
   • Structured delivery of assessment
   • Maintaining professional demeanor and non-verbal cues
   • Providing a script/transcript for clarity

Task Details:
Students are required to record a video demonstrating a complete mental state examination of a selected consumer presentation and submit the script or transcript of what was communicated during the video.

Step-by-Step Approach Guided by the Academic Mentor

Step 1: Understanding the Assessment

The mentor first ensured that the student understood the purpose and expectations of the assessment: demonstrating both MSE and therapeutic communication skills through a structured oral presentation.

Step 2: Preparing the Mental State Examination

• The mentor guided the student to review each MSE domain and understand what to observe and document.
• The student was instructed to practice assessing appearance, speech, mood, thought processes, perception, cognition, insight, and judgment systematically.
• Emphasis was placed on linking observed behaviours to clinical understanding.

Step 3: Therapeutic Communication Practice

• The mentor helped the student practice verbal and non-verbal skills to engage the consumer effectively.
• Techniques such as active listening, empathy, open-ended questioning, and professional body language were reinforced.

Step 4: Structuring the Presentation

• The student was coached on organizing the MSE findings logically, from appearance and behavior to insight and judgment.
• The mentor suggested creating a script to ensure all points are covered, while also allowing for natural verbal delivery in the video.

Step 5: Recording and Reviewing the Video

• The mentor advised on camera positioning, lighting, and clear articulation.
• The student conducted practice recordings, receiving feedback on pacing, clarity, and professionalism.
• Revisions were made to optimize communication flow and ensure all MSE components were accurately presented.

Outcome and Learning Achievements

Final Outcome:

• A video demonstration of a complete mental state examination.
• A comprehensive transcript/script supporting the verbal presentation.
• Clear integration of therapeutic communication techniques throughout the assessment.

Learning Objectives Covered:

1. Demonstrated competency in conducting a systematic mental state examination.
2. Applied therapeutic communication techniques with clarity and professionalism.
3. Developed skills in structured oral presentations for nursing handovers.
4. Enhanced ability to analyze and interpret observed behaviors and mental states.
5. Built confidence in professional verbal and non-verbal communication in clinical settings.

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