The importance of non-verbal communication for mental health nursing assessment Section: TEACHING TO LEARN How to quote Palomares García MJ, Navea Martín A. La importancia de la comunicación no verbal en la valoración enfermera de Salud Mental. Rev. Educare21 2013; 11(4). [En línea] [fecha de acceso: 1 de abril de 2013]. URL disponible en: http://www.enfermeria21.com/publicaciones/educare/ Authors1Mercedes Judith Palomares García, 2Ana Navea Martín Position 1Enfermera. EIR en Salud Mental. Hospital Universitario de La Paz. Madrid. 2Enfermera Especialista en Salud Mental. Contact email: ana.navea@salud.madrid.org Abstract Non-verbal communication is a useful tool for nursing staff and has become essential for the evaluation of mentally ill patients. Such communication allows nurses to detect some features even when the patients do not speak out or try to hide them. Importantly, healthcare professionals should also be aware of what their own body language tells the patient; this is a key aspect in a successful therapeutic relationship. Keywords: Mental Health; non-verbal communication; non-verbal language; Nursing Assessmenttherapeutic relationship Versión en Español Título: La importancia de la comunicación no verbal en la valoración enfermera de Salud Mental