MH professional question if that’s ok

[Forest56]

People who work in MH, Why did you go into the profession? If that’s ok to ask

Because I know how difficult living life with mental illness can be and wanted to help others dealing with it too.

Thanks Hugglethatmuggle, that’s a very kind reason. Sorry you struggle with MH too.

I’m scared of accepting help, so want to know why people do the job to know if it’s safe

Most people who work in mental health want to make a difference and help people who are struggling I think.

That’s certainly why I went into the profession and I do value those times when I really do feel I have made a difference to someone’s life.

Its a real honour to be there for someone in their darkest hour, I never lose sight of that.

Please do reach out if you need support @Forest56 , most people in mental health really do care💐

I started working in MH because I saw so many shit therapists (as a client), and realised I could do a better job 😆

Thanks doyouthinktheyknow that’s helpful.

Thanks Mayflower, that made me laugh, definitely a good reason

When someone looses capacity, do you want to keep them safe?

I want to keep the individuals I support safe, it's a big step to ask for help,is there anything in particular that worries you that you would care to share it might help you feel better about accepting help if we could answer any worries you may have.

Thanks hugglethatmuggle, I am under services, just currently disengaged. I’m struggling to hold onto reality, got told a couple of weeks ago they’ll monitor & if I deteriorate too much they’ll “do what they need to do.” I’m scared. I know not accepting help may make things worse for me in terms of what they do, but it’s so scary to loose yourself & people take over, I’m trying to work out if I’ll be safe

It helps to know that people do their job because they care & want to help

Genuinely I like my patients and want them to live the life that they deserve to have. I know that change is possible and even if the person doesn’t believe it because of whatever they’re going through, having someone who is in their corner is important and can make all the difference.

I hope you’re able to get help soon.

Thank you ratherbesurfing that helps. You’ve all made me feel less scared, so thank you

Qualified as a mental health nurse at 33, im now almost 47 i am a problem solver, i like to help people and care deeply about others, i have had a difficult life and understand many things people i work with experience. As a teenager most of my friends who were going through really difficult lives/abuse etc came to me to get help and then i went to my mum for help to escalate. im empathetic and want to help others try to live their best life

I work on female acute ward because I want to help. The majority of people I know who work there because they want to make a difference and know what it’s like or have had experience at some point in their life with mental health struggles.
sorry to hear you’re having a tough time!
My goal is to try and make a difference if only small and treat everyone how I would want my own family to be treated.
days are tough, but seeing people make a recovery is so worth it!

If you are still reading @Forest56 would it help to write down a plan of things you would want / wouldn't want if it did get to a point where you weren't able say clearly at the time? Whenever I've done care plans with people this is something we've talked about, so they can know they will have some control. I work with people with dementia now who know they will lose capacity at some point and getting their wishes documented early so we can continue to support them as they would want is a big part of that.

I work in MH partly because of my own experience (I have a diagnosis and have had periods of being very unwell) but also because I love working with people. There are lots of things I can't fix or cure but I can help people to find ways to cope and support them with the things that are important to them. I care very much about the people I work with.

It was a vocation in the truest sense for me. I had applied and started a general nursing course but had a mental health placement and knew immediately this was what I wanted to do. A close family member had suffered serious mental health issues and I think something clicked for me. Never regretted my career choice!

Thanks RMNandthensome, sounds like you were doing the role very early on! Sorry you’ve had a difficult life though.

Thanks spottydoodles, it’s good to hear from someone who works on a ward, I don’t see them as safe places.

Its comforting to know people do the job because they care

Thanks Verityunreasonable, I do have an advance decision & statement, so some stuff is fine, but it’s certain other decisions that aren’t fully in my control at the moment.

it must be hard working with people with dementia, getting their wishes down must be so important.

Thank you for explaining why you do the job too. It does help

Dreamsofacruise thank you, it’s funny how some things just click & you’re like that’s what I want to do. Thank you it really helps to know why people do the job

Just wanted to say, I think you’ve realised but just in case there is any confusion, I’ve not started this thread for MH support & I’m not looking for that, just wanted to know why people do the job, not saying I’m not grateful for other things that have been said, but just want to make that clear. Thank you to all of you for letting me know why you do the job, I really do appreciate it, it has really really helped me so thank you

My good friend’s daughter is a mental health nurse. She had a rough time for a few years when a teenager, she said the moment she clicked and started working with a therapist that the school put her onto she knew that’s the field she wanted to work in. That woman helped her so much she wanted to have those skills and the opportunities to use them.

Edit to add - she’s a ward nurse, acute admissions. Lots of tough decisions every day but she always talks about her work with such compassion, she really wants the best outcomes for people. She never describes people by their presentations while in crisis, if you ask her about her day she will say things like ‘had a young woman come in today who loves the football, she needed a change of clothes and had to go through 4 wards to find a size 14 sweatshirt that wasn’t blue, black and white or green, bloody nightmare!’. Always on the humanity, the person.

Lots of reasons.

1. I wanted a profession that helped people.
2. I know from personal experience the difference good MH support can make.
3. I used to have a different (but sort of related) profession which demonstrated to me just how many need good support but how understaffed MH is.
4. I genuinely really care.

That's why I started in the role. The reasons I stay despite the low pay, long hours, sleepless nights, & ridiculous systemic nonsense are similar. I really do care for all the people I work with and want to help them recover and thrive. And maybe a little less altruistic, but when you see somebody who was very ill make progress and achieve things they didn't think possible, it's massively rewarding and there's no feeling in the world that can match the pride you feel.

Thank you MurdoMunro that’s a really lovely story, very reassuring thank you.

I do it because I find people interesting and working with people doing their best to cope in very difficult situations is rewarding. People are endlessly unique and different and I have a lot to learn from the people I work with. I don't always feel that I can make as big a difference as I might want, but if I can help someone then it is a wonderful thing to see people improve in their mental health and their lives get better. I wish you all the best, OP.