1st Mental Health Nurses' Day - the View from this Bridge

To celebrate MHND here is a mix of personal observations and opportunities in mental health nursing ...

Theory ----- Practice

Beginner ---- 'Expert' in h2cm ---- Lifelong Learner

Career starter ---- Senior Practitioner ...

individual

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INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

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group

Not just Making a Difference but trying to Make a Positive Difference, even in a negative light Helping people help themselves  Assure physical health in mental health ---->> Mentor and Sign-Off Mentor Don't try to be something you are not Remember you were a student once AND as a lifelong learner you still are and always will be  Ethical and moral challenges* Psycho-social orientation So many opportunities, communities of practice: Experience of cognitive behaviour and family therapy Nurses can be therapeutic agents - co-workers with patients esp. in relapse prevention

August 1977 'RMN' Winwick Hospital 'SRN' Wigan RAEI (deemed necessary to achieve a holistic perspective) Travel: Hodges' model inc. Jordan, Amman; Spain Barcelona; Paipa, Colombia; Ireland, Dublin; Northern Ireland, Belfast Opportunities in Research AND Researcher's in Practice Mixed-methods in research? So much to learn and specialize in Early computer aided learning projects 1980s-1990s New website still to follow...!

Team work crucial* Career co-supported 3 children Community Mental Health Nursing 1985 Experience and challenge of project work - primary care mental health Guest in people's homes Recognised importance of carer's role 'Community Mental Health' people still needed to help define what this means in the 21st Century. Every "Thank you" speaks volumes, but differences of opinion speak louder - Respect Even in situations were there is 'no' hope it is amazing the difference one self can make in reaching out to another, and what each can learn... MHN is an amazing career...

Progress since 1970s in mental health care Closure of asylums, unfinished project. Change through policy, e.g. National Service Frameworks National Programme for IT 2004-2007 Data Standards quarterly meetings 1997-2007 Future policy, incredible opportunity to influence, effect and witness inevitable change in mental health service provision (see recent book review) Frustration and Concerns:  - TO DO (still) LIST Public Mental Health - a Cinderella service within a Cinderella service - Parity of Esteem? Use of information technology in mental health nursing New starter? Engage with unions and professional bodies to assure standards, quality of care in the profession and public health