Mental Health Nursing Special Interest Group

Becoming acceptable and comfortable with ourselves as mental health nurses through self-compassion

In this Blog Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, Barbara Vincent writes about her work using Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) as part of Mental Health Nursing practice, including illuminative reflections on the process from third year mental health nursing students. Working towards becoming a mental health nurse can be tricky when it comes to negotiating…

The Transition from Mental Health Nursing Student to Registered Mental Health Nurse by Sam Terry

Sam Terry : Mental Health Nursing Student at University of Brighton I am a second-year student mental health nurse about to embark on my final and for me the most crucial year of studying and placements. The course finishes with a longer placement to consolidate proficiency in therapeutic interventions, leading and managing care. Prior to…

How the environmental decline can affect mental health

In this blog Cristian Barcaru, a recent alumni of the University of Brighton mental health nursing course and a newly registered mental health nurse shares his learning around how the decline in planetary health impacts on mental health. As our planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges, it is becoming increasingly evident that the decline of our…

Holly Hylands in Tanzania- Reflections from a Mental Health Nursing Student

Holly Hylands is a Third Year Mental Health Nursing Student at the University of Brighton. Here Holly writes about her placement experiences in Tanzania. Mambo/Jambo! Afya Ya Akili The pace of life in general is a lot slower in Arusha, Tanzania. We were told that whilst working with Dr Pascal in the community we…

Psychiatric care must be guided by humanity

Lucette Davies is trained journalist, activist and NHS campaigner who spent many years in the psychiatric system both as an inpatient and in the community. These are Lucette’s words. The UK’s psychiatric system has been through many phases. From the early days when people were simply ‘contained’ often at the request of families. To a…

Neurodivergent Study Skills Tips

Neurodivergent Study Skills Tips Kerry Stott is completing an MRes in clinical awareness of shame with nurses, OTs, and social workers at the University of Brighton with a plan to continue towards doctorate level (and beyond). Kerry balances research and studies alongside clinical work as a Lead Practitioner with working age adults in the community….

Prisons as a site of care – the health and welfare of older prisoners in UK prisons

Dr Warren Stewart (Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing) The proportion of older prisoners has increased dramatically meaning there are currently 14000 prisoners over the age of 50 in UK prisons. As many as 90 per cent of older prisoners have a moderate or severe health condition, and 50 per cent have more than three…

Enhancing Mental Health Nurse Student Learning in Groups through Occupational Therapy

(Left to right.. Lizi Brown (Third Year Mental Health Nursing Student) Annette Feakes (Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy) Lucy Colwell (Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing)) In this blog Lizi Brown (Third Year Nursing Student) and Annette Feakes (Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy) consider and reflect upon the process of working with occupational therapy students…

“In two minds…’the space between functional and transformational approaches to teaching and learning in mental health nurse education

by Warren Stewart (Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing) In this blog, I articulate my reflections on the changes to mental health nurse education introduced after the publication of the new professional standards, Future Nurse – Standards for Proficiency (NMC 2018). My personal experience is quite mixed, but over two years on, my sense…

Mental Health Nursing Research- comment from an NIHR 70@70 nurse research leader

Blog – based on a recently published editorial for Mental Health Practice – December 2020 Since May 2019 I have been a NIHR 70@70 nurse research leader. I believe it is vital that mental health nurses contribute to the NHS research agenda to ensure care and treatment is evidence based. We need to be united…