'Reflective practice' - living in, working with mental illness... or something like that

Today I spoke to Sheffield Health and Social Care about sexual safety. I was approached far back in August in light of winning the RCNi Mental Health Nurse of the Year, for the project that I was leader of, 'Lets Talk About Sex.' Thank you to Andrea, Vin, Laura, Susan and all at SHSC for giving me this opportunity. But also for the trend setting work they have already started to embark on in this area - I was truly impressed. More recently, I was asked if I was likely to know of any service users/survivors that would be willing to share their testimonies, their experiences on inpatient units or of those affected by sexual violence. SHSC hadn't had much luck in this area, which isn't surprising given that it is such a sensitive/emotive subject. I approached a few, whose stories I knew little about, but I followed/interacted with on twitter (which obviously meant they were great!) For them  to generously trust me with being their voice I owe a lot. I hope I did

In this blog I reflect upon my mental health diagnosis'; and the recent revelation that I am not a 'little bit bipolar' any more – and perhaps I never was? How I feel now that my 'confirmed' diagnosis is emotionally unstable personality disorder/ borderline personality disorder (EUPD/BPD) and what that means to me. I hadn't intended to publish it on World Mental Health Day but I think its timely that it is. It may be triggering... In my ‘first ever’ blog I touched upon being informed in my appointment with a psychiatrist (I can’t say ‘my’ psychiatrist given that we will probably only have another 1 or 2 meetings plus we aren’t in America) that my diagnosis of cyclothymia had gone in the bin in 2016, replaced with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD). EUPD is also known as borderline personality disorder (BPD) and borderline personality disorder is known in the World Health Organisation classification (ICD-10) as Emotionally unstable personalit

The how to and not to guide of mental health care... a reflection Usually twitter is my go to place for talking about living with mental illness, working in mental health.  I have found a community where I am given opportunities to learn; from colleagues across the NHS and beyond about good practice, innovations and latest evidence.  I find it a place in which I can share, both my successes in the field of nursing and my own creative ideas, but also my experiences of mental illness, and in return I have found that I have received a multitude of support and encouragement. This inspires me to continue, to do better, to get better. You  see on twitter I  can be Rachel the wearer of many hats; sometimes all at once. Another benefit that comes from engaging online, is the opportunity to hear the patient and the care givers voice. A true reflection of the realities of mental health care, sometimes care that deserves celebration as a person is supported to move out of their darknes