Generating research in mental health nursing.

This paper explores a number of areas for research development in mental health nursing in the United Kingdom. Several potential areas are identified: historical research, policy related research, the role of mental health nurse as a provider of a therapeutic milieu, as therapist and as teacher. Academic centres are identified in mental health nursing research and a plea is made for the preservation of valuable archive data being lost as mental hospitals are closed. Nurse leaders in mental health nursing are encouraged to make particular provision for research activity.