Palliative and End-of-Life Care in the Serious and Persistently Mentally Ill Population

Abstract

Palliative and end-of-life care have become topics of considerable interest over the past decade. However, caring for the seriously mentally ill dying population is an area within the palliative care field that is consistently overlooked. This article explores the limited literature regarding persons with serious and persistent mental illness and end-of-life and palliative care. It examines existing barriers to palliative and end-of-life care and offers solutions. Finally, a unique opportunity for mental health nurses, particularly the nurse practitioner in psychiatry, to fill the need of helping this group of individuals to experience a “good death” is discussed.