Award Description

The Dr. Hildegarde E. Peplau Award provides an opportunity to a Registered Nurse who wishes to pursue education at the master’s or doctoral level in psychiatric/mental health nursing. Preference will be given to those whose focus of study includes an interpersonal perspective in nurse-client, family, peer or community relationships. Preference will be given to members of the MHNIG.

About Mental Health Nursing Interest Group

Mental Health Nursing Interest Group (MHNIG) promotes the health and well-being of people who are at risk of experiencing mental illness and/or emotional distress as well as promoting mental health services which are responsive to the needs and wishes of consumers and the community.

MHNIG objectives are:

• To provide a forum for communication and the exchange of ideas.
• Lobby for improved mental health/psychiatric care in institutions and in the community.
• Collaborate with mental health consumers/survivors, family groups, and other mental health professionals.
• Lobby on behalf of mental health nursing for the recognition of and positive image of mental health nursing.
• Promote awareness of the roles of mental health nurses and to serve as liaison with RNAO and CNA in promoting certification of mental health nurses.
• Provide professional support for mental health nurses.
• Promote professional growth and adaptation to changing health care trends.
• Encourage formation of satellite groups throughout Ontario.
• Support implementation of standards of practice for mental health nursing.
• Encourage participation of mental health nurses in education and research.