Note from the editor
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
email hema_zbogar@camh.net
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(416) 595-6714 
