Community Educational Support of Clients with Mental Illness at Second Beginnings

Abstract

Service Learning is utilized in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing at Louisiana Tech University. Local mentally ill clients, an underserved population, are offered educational and socialization support at a public funded day program, Second Beginnings. Faculty directed, nursing students develop a program for an identified community need, provide topic specific resources, and incorporate a variety of teaching tools within a three hour format. Sexually transmitted infections, medication adherence, and oral care are recent topics. Students critically evaluate the effectiveness of their preparation and teaching. Additionally, they reflect on the experience in a confidenti