Abstract

Background: The world and mental health nursing face several crises that, in different ways, reflect problems of dominance. Global politics are afflicted with a growth of support for right-wing ideologies associated with domineering authoritarian leaders. Mental health services are dominated by a singular application of bio-psychiatric ideas and practices. Both forms of dominance are potentially alienating and harmful.

Argument: Psychosocial theories offer ways to make sense of authoritarian tendencies across both realms and point to how dominance can be resisted towards progressive transformation. Authoritarian right-wing politics arguably pose an existential threat to society which is implicated in growing mental distress at the population level and damages services by squeezing resources. Dominant bio-psychiatry visits epistemic and material harms upon the mentally distressed and restricts choice over care and support. Nurses operate at the relational and political nexus of these harms so must be able to make sense of generative factors and be active in providing remedies.

Conclusions: Applying psychosocial theory can raise political consciousness for mental health nurses and support development of a new politicised professional identity. Advocacy and activist oriented nurses can mitigate harms across societal and practice level political engagement. We can, and arguably must, be part of resistance movements grounded in a relational ethic of care.