Final answer:
Mental health nurses play a vital role in addressing psychosocial needs, which involve supporting emotional well-being and fostering independence, self-esteem, and overall health. These efforts contribute to the holistic maintenance of health and the prevention of illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The basic level function of mental health nurses that involves encouraging independence, increasing self-esteem, and improving function and health is primarily concerned with addressing psychosocial needs. These needs encompass providing an emotional support network that facilitates both care-giving and care-receiving behaviors. This support network also serves as an essential medium for the exchange of important information concerning mutual interests and matters of concern, contributing to an individual's overall well-being.
Health is broadly defined as the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. To maintain one's health, a combination of factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, and access to healthcare are commonly emphasized. However, for mental health nurses, enhancing a patient's autonomy, bolstering their confidence, and advocating for their holistic health are equally vital in contributing to both health and the prevention of illness.