ProNurse

  Hi Guys, 

I'm back again, and looking for help!

I've been given a reflective essay to write about how ive become more self aware since i began my course. I major theme within my essay is how ive become more comfortable with my past mental illness, and realised alot of other people working in the feild have had an expierience of ill mental health.

I'm really struggling to find any research, or articles which mention the prevalence of people who have recovered from mental illness, and gone on to work in the feild helping others.

I was wondering if anyone on here may know of anything?

Thanks, 

Laura

Hi Laura,

I'm sorry but I can't help - I don't know of any research on the topic. Anecdotally speaking I can tell you that as a trainer who regularly does training on mental disorder to staff groups at all levels from support worker to consultant psychiatrist I keep meeting people who tell me about their experiences but that's not really quantified - it's just my experience.

Sorry.

Cheers,

Stuart

Quick answer, there will not be many if at all, statement and journal entries referring to your request. However you can draw on the hospital or where ever you are, the policy on equality and diversity, and be honest. Posing yourself questions: Immediately does your assignment really have to be looking into this area, as it should no make a difference, what should matter is your practice, where you can then explain how your first hand experience has given you additional tools and experience to deliver quality care.

Surely this is a chosen major topic within the essay. if a reflective account then we are looking in to the 1st person aspect. currently am writing something similar, into my experience from adult to child services. i have drawn on personal attributes using an effective reflective tool that ha really made it easy to focus on what is essential.

If this an area you are desperate to focus on, good for you, but ive just had a look and apart from looking at the charity "MIND" and a book by a nurse who had mental health problems, im a bit lost to say the least. Maybe this is too broad.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1119596/

I can only find stuff like this.

Here here, and if it sounds good, give em a bell, they are very helpful. and i get to see the amazing work they do so great ideas.

I seem to remember some work carried out on 'wounded healers' in the nursing profession which is actually what draws all of us into the job. Try searching for that term If i find anything i will let you know