Mental Health Nurses' Day 2024

Chizzy Martins, Staff Nurse, Jupiter Ward

 Can you tell us about your journey into nursing and how you came to work at SWLSTG? What inspired you to become a nurse?

“I started as a healthcare support worker and always had a passion for working with people. I knew I wanted to help people have a healthy life which led me to pursue career in nursing.”

Tell us about working on Jupiter ward?

“My experience of working on Jupiter ward has been amazing. We all work collaboratively, everyone is approachable, and we work together to ensure that we provide the best care — not just individually but as a team.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?

“For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a nurse is witnessing patients' transformative journeys. Seeing someone come in during a crisis and leave happy and healthy is incredibly fulfilling. Being a part of that positive change reinforces my commitment to nursing.”

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or patient interaction that has impacted you during your time here?

“I recall a time I was able to reassure a very guarded and distressed patient. It made me realise how important the role of a nurse is, to be there during someone’s darkest times and help them find the light again.”

As we celebrate National Mental Health Nurses’ Day, what message would you like to share with fellow nurses and aspiring nurses?

“My message to current nurses would be don’t be afraid to ask for help and explore extra training. You will face challenges, but keep going.

“What I would say to aspiring nurses is go for it! Keep pushing yourself, not everyone’s journey is the same, speak to experienced nurses and don’t be disheartened, challenges are normal.”

Rachael Sachdev, Interim Clinical Service Lead, CAMHS Emergency Care Service (CECS)

Can you tell us about your journey into nursing and what inspired you?

“The general feeling of wanting to help people. I know that sounds cliché but it’s true – I get a genuine satisfaction from helping others. I joined the Trust in 2013 and it was the best decision I made. I worked in Corner House, the National Deaf CAMHS inpatient unit. Despite not knowing British Sign Language (BSL) beforehand, the Trust invested in me and helped me learn this incredible language. Having acquired this lifelong skill, I'm grateful for the doors it's opened and the people it's allowed me to connect with.”

Tell us about your current role?

“As the Interim Clinical Service Lead for CECS, I am responsible for the day-to-day clinical leadership and operational management of a team of clinical nurse specialists who conduct psychosocial assessments within local A&E departments for young people that present in a mental health crisis. My role is to promote high standards of care and ensure the safety and effectiveness of the service through the implementation of effective risk management and governance.”

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or patient interaction that has impacted you during your time here?

“I remember providing a handover in BSL when I worked in Corner House. It’s memorable for me because I never thought I’d be capable of doing that. The positive feedback I received from the team and knowing they had understood me in BSL was really rewarding.” 

Dan Waters, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Wandsworth CAMHS

Could you describe a typical day in your role?

“My day starts with a review of my upcoming appointments. My role is to provide tailored interventions based on individual needs. This includes individual care plans and psychoeducation alongside DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy) based interventions and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) skills.

"I also support young people pre-treatment while they are on the waiting list for family or psychological therapy. I’ll look at what support is available to them in the interim and how they can draw on their existing network i.e. their school, family and friends, to help them move forward towards their goals.”

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or patient interaction that has impacted you during your time here?

“There’s one young patient I’ll always remember from my time working on Aquarius ward. They had two admissions, and I was their named nurse on both occasions. When they were well enough to be discharged, they gave me some artwork as a thank you and a year or so later they emailed me to check in and say thank you again. It was incredible to see how far this young person had come.”

Olawale Alade, Ward Manager, Corner House

Can you tell us about your journey into nursing and how you came to work at SWLSTG? What inspired you to become a nurse?  
 
“When I first moved to the UK I volunteered in a school for the deaf. I witnessed the challenges students were experiencing in accessing services and support, and the behavioural and underlying mental health issues which made it difficult for the teachers to meet their needs. I joined the Trust as a healthcare assistant in 2012 and two years later my manager encouraged me to go to university again and study nursing.”

What do you enjoy most about working here?

“I enjoy the opportunity I get to work with deaf people with mental health challenges, listening to their stories and supporting them to find solutions to overcome the challenges or barriers they are experiencing.”

Could you describe a typical day in your role? 

“Every day is different. I work directly with patients to understand what their lives has been like and the situations that have brought them here. We support people through interventions and therapy sessions to help them manage different situations which could be related to stress, issues with family or accessing different services. We also help people to plan for the future and further education or employment.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?

“The support I’m able to offer to help people manage their own lives. Mental health doesn’t get the attention it deserves. When you look into it, there are so many challenges and issues people are going through every day and it’s so important to be able to access the right support.”

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or patient interaction that has impacted you during your time here?  
 
“There was a patient I met while working on Bluebell ward who had experienced a really stressful family situation. Through my work with them, they gradually became calmer and started opening up to me about their experiences and how isolated they had felt during their childhood. Together we went through all of those issues and put strategies in place to help them move forward with their life. When they were well enough to leave the ward, we supported them to move into new accommodation. Our Deaf Adult Community Team (DACT) visited recently and was shocked at the change in them! It was fantastic to see them doing so well and enjoying being part of a new deaf community.”

Rachael Hamilton, CAMHS Service Manager

Can you tell us about your journey into nursing and how you came to work at SWLSTG? What inspired you to become a nurse?

“My journey into nursing began with me starting as an administrator for the CAMHS outpatient service. I then went on to become a support worker and decided to pursue my nursing qualification. I've been able to work in great environments and personally I find it very fulfilling.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?

“I would say the ability to build relationships with people and help guide and support people on their recovery journey.”

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or patient interaction that has impacted you during your time here?

“While working on Wisteria ward I helped a young lady in crisis. We had a very reflective conversation and I realised that sometimes you can underestimate how thoughtful people can be in times of crisis. I bumped into her years ago and she remembered me, and I was happy to see her working and doing well.”

As we celebrate National Mental Health Nurses’ Day, what message would you like to share with fellow nurses and aspiring nurses?

“What I would like to say to my fellow nurses is keep aiming to be the best you can be and don’t stop challenging systems of discrimination.

“My message to aspiring nurses would be to keep trying your best. Your journey does not have to be linear, carve out your own lane and be teachable.”