Title : Intersectionality: Recognizing the intersections between mental health and substance abuse
Abstract:
This presentation will explore the intersections between mental health and substance abuse through the lens of intersectionality, focusing on its implications for nursing practice, research, and education. Acknowledging that factors such as gender, race, class, sexual orientation, and disability influence health and illness experiences, the discussion will analyze how these intersecting identities shape nursing care in mental health and substance abuse contexts.The challenges faced by nurses in caring for marginalized populations will be addressed, including the impact of social and institutional stigma, barriers to accessing healthcare services, and structural inequalities within healthcare systems. Case studies and epidemiological data will illustrate the necessity of culturally competent and intersectional approaches to care. For instance, the presentation will examine the difficulties nurses encounter when caring for Black women in vulnerable situations, who often experience trauma, violence, and gaps in access to integrated treatments for mental health and substance abuse disorders. The discussion will emphasize the need for patient-centered nursing care that considers the complexities of intersectionality in practice. Strategies to promote more inclusive interventions will be highlighted, such as implementing assessment practices that identify relevant social and cultural factors, strengthening therapeutic relationships, and equipping nurses to address implicit and explicit biases. Furthermore, the implications for nursing education will be explored, with a focus on the need for curricula that incorporates intersectionality as a central framework in addressing mental health and substance abuse. Continuing education will be presented as essential for developing competencies that enable nurses to address the challenges posed by intersectionality in care settings effectively. Finally, the strategic role of nursing in shaping public policies and advocating for more equitable and humanized care practices will be discussed. The presentation will underscore that intersectionality is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical tool indispensable for expanding the scope and effectiveness of nursing interventions in mental health and the care of individuals dealing with substance abuse issues.
