This Mental Health Awareness Week, we spoke to some of our dedicated nursing academics to explore why mental health awareness matters – not just this week, but every day.
Mental Health Awareness Week is important to keep this topic on the agenda for our community. There have been significant steps in raising awareness around anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide over recent years. I believe there is still work to be done to reduce stigma and raise awareness around other conditions such as psychosis. I am a mental health nurse with 18 years’ experience in clinical practice, working with individuals who experience psychosis or are diagnosed with personality disorder. I feel privileged to have met these individuals and learn about them and their experience. It is important to increase awareness of these conditions and the impact they have on the biopsychological health of individuals and their families, with the aim of inclusivity and equality for all.
Michelle Parkes – Senior Lecturer in mental health nursing
This week is vital in reducing stigma, barriers, and raising the overall profile of mental health. It helps by normalising conversations, reducing stereotypes, and challenging societal misconceptions. It encourages people to speak up about their own mental health and normalise difficulties people can face. I am passionate and committed to supporting people with mental health issues and ensuring that they receive the support needed. Events like this week shine a light on mental health and current provision, with the hope of driving forward policy and practice changes, increasing awareness and encouraging open mental health dialogue between people.
Lloyd Bastiman – Senior Lecturer in mental health nursing
Our mental health influences everything we do – our relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. This week is crucial for highlighting the importance of mental health in our daily lives. When we feel mentally strong, it can positively impact our lives, but during times of vulnerability, it can be challenging. It is also important to recognise the impact we have on other people’s mental wellbeing and reaching out if we are concerned about someone. By being mindful of our interactions and offering support when needed, we can contribute positively to the mental health of those around us. I qualified as a mental health nurse in 1991 and have had a fascinating career working in various mental health settings, including inpatient services, community care, secure hospitals, prisons and now education. I pursued a career in mental health due to a desire to work with people, improve their quality of life, and make a meaningful difference. It is a diverse, flexible, challenging, and immensely rewarding role. I have had the privilege of meeting incredible individuals, and no two days or people are the same. I take great pleasure in working with students as they represent the future of nursing. By sharing my passion, I aim to empower, develop, and support them to reach their full potential and become the best professionals they can be.
Deborah Rafter – Senior lecturer in mental health nursing
This week is so important to help reduce stigma and encourage people to talk openly about mental health challenges. It helps motivate people to seek help early, which can lead to better outcomes and recovery. During this week, information is shared about mental illnesses, coping strategies, and support resources. My passion – both in my clinical work as a nurse, and now as a lecturer – has always been fostering a deeper understanding of mental illness. I believe that this understanding is key in increasing empathy and compassion so that people can support friends, family, coworkers or anyone in their wider community who are struggling.
Fiona Craig – Lecturer in mental health nursing
Developing awareness of mental health and mental illness is key to encouraging people to access help and support. This week is a great opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health and wellbeing, reduce stigma and encourage an open and compassionate discussion about something that can be a difficult topic. I have been a mental health nurse since 2012 and in that time have witnessed many efforts to engage groups in society who have previously been reluctant to talk and access help. There are lots of positive initiatives that have been invaluable in reducing stigma and promoting access to support, and this week can play a vital part in this.
Phil Flanagan – Lecturer in mental health nursing
