Running head: PSR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE THEORY SHORT REPORT

Psychosocial Rehabilitation Theory Short Report: Climate Change Dermot Connolly Stenberg College PSYN 202-3 D. Klingspohn July 2013

PSR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE THEORY SHORT REPORT Psychosocial Rehabilitation Theory Short Report: Climate Change Many scientists agree that over the past one hundred years or more, the average temperature of the earth has slowly begun to rise in a phenomenon known as climate change.

(NASA n.d.). While there are many contributors to climate change, chief among them are the oil industries who fulfill our every increasing demand for crude oil and fossil fuels. (NASA n.d.). Within the last one hundred and fifty years, our thirst for fossil fuels has being driven by our modern lifestyle which has raised atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from 280 parts per million to 379 parts per million. (NASA n.d.). The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the universality and effectiveness of the psychosocial rehabilitation nursing model. This will be demonstrated using a fictional oil company interested in reducing its carbon footprint with the support of its employees and the local community. The report will first focus on assessing the oil companys understanding of their impact on climate change before planning and implementing a rehabilitation model which will look to address the indentified goals of the company, its employees and the local community. Finally the effectiveness of the rehabilitation model is evaluated against the needs of all three stakeholders and compared against similar case studies from the field. Studies have long suggested that the production, transportation and consumption of oil have contributed to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation which significantly impacts air quality and climate change. (David Suzuki Foundation n.d.). One of the goals of the initial psychosocial assessment is to gain a better understanding of the views of the oil companys board of directors towards climate change and their contributions towards it. (Sundeen 2009). It is important therefore to assess the companys appreciation for such studies

PSR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE THEORY SHORT REPORT before agreeing on a common set of goals and targets aimed at reducing emissions and the companys impact on the environment. (Sundeen 2009). For the purpose of this analysis, the companys employees will take on the role of the family as they share many similar roles such as regular interaction with the employer which can help identify potential goal implementation barriers or perhaps the companys adherence to the agreed objectives. Like all family members, it is therefore important that all employees are part of the assessment for any rehabilitation plan on climate change. (Sundeen 2009). Such an assessment should include employee structure within the organization such as roles, responsibilities and company culture. (Sundeen 2009). Assessment of the community is also important as it can impact greatly the success or

failure of any climate change project. Community assessment should include an evaluation of the level of community support needed by the oil company and its ability to handle its personal affairs within that community. (Sundeen 2009). This will help turn its image around helping to reduce stigma and promotion community inclusion. (PSR Canada 2010). In terms of planning and implementation, the ultimate goal is to change the oil companys self concept which can be achieved through positive experiences of adequacy. The company is taught how best to recognize and modify their own thoughts and behaviors so that over time they can function more independently without the support of the psychosocial coordinator. (Sundeen 2009). Critical to the planning and implementation of any psychosocial program is the recognition that negative behaviors surrounding climate change have developed over time and can be slow and difficult to change. Indeed for many oil companies, giving up on old patterns of behavior or beliefs can be difficult and cause anxiety. (Sundeen 2009).

PSR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE THEORY SHORT REPORT To ensure successful implementation, the oil company must encourage the participation of those most affected by running community programs that encourages active community participation. Such programs ensure that the community is informed about the goals and objectives of the rehabilitation plan from the very beginning. (Sundeen 2009). Successful examples of community involvement in similar programs include the 2007 rehabilitation of the Moon River Walleye Fishery in Ontario. (Moon River Walleye Rehabilitation plan 2007). The aim of the plan was to promote natural sustainability through the restoration of the fish population within the Eastern Georgian Bay. Key to the successful implementation of the plan was the support and active involvement of the local community. (Moon River Walleye Rehabilitation plan 2007). Once the oil company has implemented its rehabilitation plan, its impact on the environment must next be evaluated. Such an evaluation is important to help determine if the rehabilitation plan had any positive impacts on climate change. From the point of view of the board of directors, the evaluation phase ensures that the program sponsors, employees and affected communities are made aware of their return of emotional and financial investment. (Abello, Fisher & Sitek 2010). If successfully implemented, the rehabilitation program can also have a positive impact

on the level of investment offered through government agencies and other industries attributed to climate change. (Abello, Fisher & Sitek 2010). Excellent examples of such support can be witnessed in the Australian mining industry where suitable land is temporally used for the extraction of minerals. By defining rehabilitation objectives ahead of time, mining companies have worked closely with government agencies, local councils and communities to greatly reduce their environmental footprint. (New South Wales Minerals Council n.d.). Such

PSR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE THEORY SHORT REPORT rehabilitation programs are designed to help return the land to a condition that is stable and self

containing. Key to this is the landscaping and drainage of the mines to ensure they are consistent with their surrounding areas. (New South Wales Minerals Council n.d.). While psychosocial rehabilitation models may have being designed with the mentally ill in mind, the universality of its concepts means that they can be applied to any situation looking for a positive outcome. Using a fictional oil company, this short report has demonstrated the use of these concepts with the support of its board of directors, its employees and the local community. The structure of the model provided in this example is such that its progress can be tracked from initial assessment, planning and implementation, and evaluation. In addition the successes discussed are validated through real life examples taken from around the world.

PSR PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PRACTICE THEORY SHORT REPORT References Abello, D., Fisher, K., R. & Sitek, T. (2010). Evaluation of the integrated rehabilitation and recovery care program. Social Policy Research Centre. Retrieved from: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mntalhealth/quality/rehabilitation_recovery_report.pdf David Suzuki Foundation (n.d.). A brief history of oil. Retrieved from: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/climate-change/science/energy/oil/ Moon River Walleye Rehabilitation plan (2007). Moon River Of Eastern Georgian Bay walleye rehabilitation plan. Retrieved from: http://www.helpourfisheries.com/Moon_River_Initiative/MoonRwalleyeRehabPlan.pdf NASA (n.d.). Global climate change. Retrieved from: http://climate.nasa.gov/causes

New South Wales Minerals Council (n.d.). Reducing our footprint rehabilitation of mined land. Retrieved from: http://www.nswmin.com.au/Mining-in-NSW/Reducing-OurFootprint/Rehabilitation-of-Mined-Land/Rehabilitation-of-Mined-Land/default.aspx PSR Canada (2010). Psychosocial rehabilitation Practice Standards and Definitions for Recovery Oriented Services. Retrieved from: http://www.psrrpscanada.ca/clientuploads/documents/PSR%20Standards%20for%20Rec overy%20Oriented%20Program%20Oct%202010.pdf

Sundeen, S.J. (2009). Psychiatric rehabilitation in: Stuart, G.W & Sundeen, S.J. (Eds.) Principles and Practices of Psychiatric Nursing 9th Edition St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby. p199-216