Note from the editor: CrossCurrents Winter 2002/03

CrossCurrents

In the note from the editor over the past few issues, I've outlined changes gradually being made to the magazine, based on feedback from the readership survey sent out at the beginning of the year. With this Winter issue, we launch the magazine's new name - CrossCurrents. This title better captures the magazine's mandate - to emphasize a focus on both mental health and addiction issues. We've also made some design changes, including revamping the cover.

We launch CrossCurrents with a focus issue on mental health and addiction nursing. Nurses constitute the single largest group of health care professionals. By the nature of their professional role, they provide care at a much closer level and more frequently than other health professionals. When someone seeks help for a mental health or addiction problem, a nurse is often the first point of contact. Indeed, for those with severe or persistent mental health problems, the nurse is often the primary care provider and support service. With the move to high-tech health care, nurses will play a particularly valuable role because they represent the human side of health care - the ideals of compassion, integrity and responsibility.

Helen Buttery's story about nurse abuse of clients and Abigail Pugh's story about nurse burnout highlight the challenges that often accompany the nursing role. But along with the difficulties come many unique opportunities. Anita Dubey's story on a nurse-run smoking cessation pilot discusses the great potential that nurses have to encourage their clients to make behavioural and lifestyle changes. And Steven Nicholls' story about least restraints illustrates the role that nurses may play in driving policy change to benefit clients. My profile of the work of four nurses working in the mental health and addiction fields illustrates the bright future of nursing - a future that reflects innovation, resourcefulness and dedication in addressing complex problems.

The new year is upon us. Why not start it with a letter to the editor expressing your thoughts on our stories?

Hema Zbogar
tel 416 595-6714
e-mail hema_zbogar@camh.net

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