The widespread need for mental health care is a growing concern in the modern world. An estimated 25% of the population suffers from some form of psychological malfunction, including severe cases of schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress, and bipolar disorder. Health care professionals, as well as social and support workers, need a basic knowledge of the mental health disciplines to effectively perform their duties. These service providers encounter people with a wide array of abnormal behavioral manifestations.

Students pursuing careers in medical fields will benefit from both undergraduate and postgraduate courses that address psychological disorders. Some universities require the textbook “Mental Health Care Hungerford”. This introductory overview of the subject combines fundamental theory with real-life practice. The lead author is Catherine Hungerford, Assistant Professor in Nursing at the University of Canberra; the co-authors are Donna Hodgson, Richard Clancy, Tony Jones, Anthony Harrison, Chris Hart, and Bob Gardner, all professors and experienced nurses. The curriculum is supported online by integrated resources and provides relevant exercises for undergraduate students in non-specialist health programs.

The book, Mental Health Care, is an adaptation of the earlier published “Mental Health Care for Nurses: Applying Mental Health Skills in the General Hospital” by editors Harrison and Hart, published by Wiley Blackwell. Hungerford’s version, however, extends the information beyond the general hospital and trains paramedics, occupational therapists, and medical workers of every type. The instruction is user-friendly and ideal for nursing students, many of whom are required to take a core course on mental health during their second year in college. The text begins with an update on Australia’s mental health care system from both a legal and ethical viewpoint. Then the authors cover a range of settings in which a health care provider may be called upon to deal with the mentally ill. Mental Health Care Hungerford discusses normal reactions to stress while instructing readers to respect cultural diversity and be prepared for an occasional challenge.

Chapters seven through ten of “Mental Health Care 2nd Edition” focus on specific types of struggles with mental health, including depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. Behavioral disorders, such as substance abuse and suicidal tendencies, accompany the illness. Many chronic issues begin at an early age, but serious mental breakdowns can occur among the elderly. Chapter eleven is dedicated to the special needs of disturbed individuals in this category. “Mental Health Care Hungerford” features a variety of ‘in practice’ case studies and images, along with brief chapter summaries to highlight the main points. Unfamiliar terms are explained with both margin definitions and a glossary; ‘The Big Picture’ section attempts to bring the material to life in real-world examples.

Catherine Hungerford and her group effectively use their own experiences from working ‘at the coalface’ to reach nursing students and trained health care workers alike. “Mental Health Care 2nd Edition” was published in May 2014 and offers an in-depth look at current issues and opinions concerning the welfare of the mentally ill. The curriculum encourages a multidisciplinary approach to caring for the afflicted.