Working in the real world: a review of sociological concepts of health and well-being and their relation to modern mental health nursing

Since 2008, the world has witnessed several socio-economic upheavals that have fundamentally changed the global economy. Within the UK, these upheavals have coincided with a change in political administration and thus a new approach to managing the volatility of economy. This change has resulted in root and branch reform of service provision that is based around a model that incorporates a shrinking public sector coupled with an increase in civic participation (i.e. 'The Big Society' espoused by the UK-governing coalition). It is also unlikely that healthcare provision on a global level will remain unchanged in such turbulent times. It would therefore seem a useful time to review how socio-economic forces are believed to affect the health and well-being of an individual. These forces include social inequality, the mechanisms of social inclusion and exclusion, social role and the erosion of resilience. This paper will then conclude by offering some potential avenues that nurses can explore to make these forces less damaging for their clients. These avenues include developing a clinical focus based around positive psychology, well-being and some novel ways that nurses can help overcome the maintenance cycles that perpetuate inequality and exclusion.