The first part of Mental Health Care for Nurses: Applying mental health skills in the general hospital explores the context of mental health care in hospital and residential settings and provides a practical framework for assessment, planning and delivery of mental health care. The second part explores specific topics such as self-harm and suicide prevention, caring for the patient displaying challenging behaviour, maternal and perinatal mental health problems, mental health problems associated with old age, mood disorders, and illicit drug and alcohol dependence.

"This basic book provides general information about mental health for nurses in general hospitals. It highlights how to work in partnership with specialist community mental health teams and raises awareness about the links between hospital patients' physical and mental needs...As someone with a non-clinical background, this was a good book." (Nursing Standard)

Anthony Harrison is Consultant Nurse in Liaison Psychiatry and Visiting Fellow, University of the West of England, Bristol. Chris Hart is Nurse Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry and Principle Lecturer, Kingston. The contributors are all consultant nurses in liaison psychiatry.