To mark mental health awareness week, we talked to Sian Hayes and Rose Iqbal, both year 3 mental health nursing students currently on their final placement with the West Yorkshire ICB
How would you describe the role of a mental health nurse?
The role of a mental health nurse is to build effective, therapeutic relationship with the people who use mental health services. It can also have many different elements and is deeply impactful. As a mental health nurse, you provide care, support and advocacy for individuals experiencing mental health challenges. For people such as the service users themselves, as well as family and carers. The responsibilities range from conducting assessments and developing care plans to administering medication, providing therapeutic support and collaborating with the multidisciplinary team. The role of a mental health nurse can also mean being an advocate for a vulnerable person, helping them through possibly the worst time in that person’s life. The main purpose of a mental health nurse is to ensure that patients can manage their symptoms, recover and achieve a better quality of life. A mental health nurse can work in all settings, hospitals, GP surgeries, Community settings, social care, psychiatrists and different types of therapy.
What inspired you to pursue a career in mental health nursing?
Sian: My desire to pursue a career in mental health nursing has stemmed from an experience in mental health myself. At a young age of 15 I developed an eating disorder called anorexia nervosa. It was a very difficult time for me, and I felt alone, scared and unable to see an end to my pain. When I managed to open up to friends and family, I started to see the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel. I got help form professionals who still impact me today. Alongside this experience, I also had a grandma who had Alzheimer's, watching that develop and see her slowly fade away was difficult. But seeing the support of the mental health nurses around her and us as a family was very helpful. They gave us a better understanding of what was happening, and ways we could communicate with her. Today I have my own battles of body dysmorphia, anxiety and depressions, while in my struggles, all I wanted to do growing up is help people who have been in my shoes. If I can help change the life of one person, that will make me feel like I am making a difference.
Rose: My inspiration to pursue a career in mental health nursing stems from a strong desire to make a visible difference in people’s lives. I have always been interested in the complexities of the human mind and how mental health impacts every aspect of a person’s wellbeing. Witnessing the struggles of someone close to me with anxiety and depression as well as my own struggles, opened my eyes to the importance of compassionate, non-judgemental care. That experience helped me realise that I wanted to be part of a profession that not only supports recovery but also challenges the stigma surrounding mental illness.
What skills are essential for a mental health nurse?
To be an effective mental health nurse, several key skills are essential. Strong communication and active listening skills are crucial to understand patients’ needs and build therapeutic relationships, being open minded, and empathetic is also important. Empathy, patience, and resilience allow nurses to offer support in often emotionally demanding situations
A good knowledge of mental health conditions is important. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are vital for assessing risk and creating safe, personalised care plans. Additionally, the ability to work collaboratively with other professionals ensures holistic, person-centred care.
How do you think the stigma around mental health can be reduced?
We believe that reducing the stigma around mental health is a major challenge, especially in some ethnic minority communities. In these communities, mental illness is often not seen as "real" or may be viewed as a weakness, spiritual failure, or something shameful. People may be told to "toughen up," "pray it away," or keep their struggles private, which prevents them from seeking help. Mental health nurses can help reduce this stigma by using culturally sensitive approaches, raising awareness, and encouraging open conversations. I think that introducing mental health education in school would help. It will help children from a young age understand how to cope with feelings and emotions as well as having not only a school nurse, but a mental health nurse in schools will hopefully reduce the numbers of referrals to CAMHS. Having a better education as the world will have a better understanding of what It is and how it effects people in different ways. Community outreach, education, increasing diversity as well as promoting inclusivity within mental health services are also key to breaking down these barriers.
How do you manage stress and maintain your own mental health?
Sian: Managing my own stress and mental health can be challenging at times. However, I have different ways in which I cope with it. One of the ways that helps me is music. When I feel stressed or low I put music on, and it distracts me from the feelings I am feeling. Another way is a talk to my mam. Being so far away from her for my studies has been hard so when I feel like I need to vent or get my feelings out I talk to my mam. I also have some really good friends around me that help. They plan a games night or something fun to do like bowling to a quiz night to help make me feel better. All these things help keep my mental health at a stable level. If I feel like any of my strategies aren’t helping, I speak to the mental health team at university. This team has helped me a lot over my studies. They have listened and given me guidance in my own mental health. Which I can use and can also help others who might be feeling the same.
Rose: Managing stress and maintaining my own mental health is essential in this field. I prioritise self-care by setting boundaries, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and engaging in activities that bring me joy, such as having days out with friends and spending time with loved ones. Reflective practice and supervision also help me process difficult experiences and continue to grow professionally. I also manage my stress by planning ahead and making sure I give myself enough time to complete tasks without feeling rushed. If I do start to feel overwhelmed, I find that spending time with friends helps me relax and recharge.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in mental health nursing?
Sian: My advice to someone who is looking at going into a career in mental health nursing is, be kind to yourself and with your studies. It is a long 3 years and at times can be very difficult. At times you might feel like giving up, but don’t. it will be worth all the stress and tears one day. It’s a life changing degree, you meet so many different people in different circumstances, that you wouldn’t normally meet. It’s so rewarding as a career and as a student nurse, as you can see the change in people when you provide them with the right care. You help them grow and develop as a person; potential save their life. Please do it, go into mental health nursing, the world needs you and we all need to work together to change the world.
Rose: To anyone considering a career in mental health nursing, I would say it is a challenging but deeply rewarding profession where you have the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives every day. Be prepared to listen without judgement, remain open-minded, and commit to lifelong learning. The field is constantly evolving, and there is always more to understand about mental health and human behaviour. Most importantly, bring compassion and authenticity to your practice because it does make a difference.