Structural competency in mental health nursing: Understanding and applying key concepts

Achieving mental health equity requires that nursing address structures that impede the ability of individuals and populations to achieve optimal mental health. Consistent with calls for structural change, this paper intends to promote structural competency in mental health nursing by applying this concept to the field. The first half of the paper discusses structural competency and key concepts vital for its development, namely, structure, social influencers of mental health, equity, structural justice, and historical understanding. In the second half we apply structural competency to mental health nursing at the educational, practice and system levels and conclude with recommendations for change.

2019 Report: Student Affiliates of Seventeen (SAS)

Ball State University’s tenure as host institution for Student Affiliates of Division Seventeen (SAS) has come to an end as of August 2019. While maintaining the purpose of increasing student membership and involvement in the Society of Counseling Psychology, Ball State’s executive board has pursued unique initiatives aimed at strengthening the organization and providing opportunities to its members. Over the course of our 3-year term, three main themes emerged: 1) Social Justice and Equity, 2) Membership Engagement, and 3) Organizational sustainability. As such, the current report will include a description of these themes and a review of SAS activities and initiatives in the last year. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Counseling Psychologist, this report will begin with a brief overview of SAS and its history.