Current events group

[atypical_psych_rpn]

Hi all!!

In short, I work on an inpatient psych rehab unit... lately there's a push for nursing staff to run more therapeutic groups. I'm interested in running a "current events" group on my unit with hopes of discussing current events to help prepare some patients for community reintegration.

I was wondering if anyone's had done this and can offer tips of how it was run??

Im also looking for research articles demonstrating that this is in fact therapeutic... I can find older stuff but having problems finding recent articles to support this which are require in order to have my group approved...

any help, ideas or direction is very appreciated! I know there's some great mental health nurses on this forum...

thanks

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'm not sure if that's such a good idea. For one thing, feelings are running high in our part of the world these days, and discussing current events may agitate some patients, not to mention start arguments. In addition, for others---and this is from a patient's perspective---a psych unit is something of a sanctuary from all the troubles of the world. I can understand that some people are starving for news and would enjoy participating in such a group, but overall I think it would cause more problems than it solves. JMHO.

[Nimrodel, BSN, RN]

I would recommend against that seeing as I know a number of people who have had mental health problems exacerbated by current events. It's an extraordinarily stressful topic, especially for people under 30.

[southshore2014, APRN]

Hi OP,

I observed a couple of Current Events groups when doing my clinical rotation at a local mental health facility. The group was done in the partial program and it was a great way to start the day with the patients. That being said, I also question how successful it would be in an inpatient setting. My concern would be that the group would quickly spiral from patients who are experiencing paranoia and general psychosis.

Great topic!