Final answer:
Mental health nurses' basic functions include establishing a supportive network, teaching communication skills, and encouraging personal growth by role modeling, addressing the psychosocial needs of clients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic level functions of mental health nurses that involve maintaining a therapeutic environment are crucial for addressing the psychosocial needs of clients. These functions include creating an emotionally supportive network, which is essential for facilitating care-giving and care-receiving behaviors, as well as for exchanging information on matters of mutual interest and concern. Mental health nurses also play a key role in teaching skills that encourage communication between the client and others and promote personal growth through role modeling. For example, in line with Summerson Carr's research, nurses might encourage "healthy talk," helping clients to learn and demonstrate progress by articulating their experiences and responsibilities in a structured and socioculturally informed manner.