More mental health nurses needed on Yorkshire coast
The Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust says there's been a drop in the workforce since 2009.
Last updated 24th Feb 2021
People on the Yorkshire coast are being urged to consider becoming mental health nurses.
The Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust is joining other groups across the country in celebrating the work that mental health taskforces do.
However, they're also warning that NHS Digital data from May 2019 showed the total mental health nursing workforce has decreased by 10.6% since 2009.
Tracy Flanagan, Deputy Director of Nursing at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Fundamentally, becoming a Mental Health Nurse felt like coming home, like I had finally found my place in the world.
"Making a human connection with people during their most extreme times of distress or fear has been very humbling.
"I love working with people and being a Mental Health Nurse has provided a wide variety of opportunities to work with people from all backgrounds and in many different contexts. Seeing people recover, whatever that means for them, is a remarkable privilege.”
A Mental Health Nurse’s role is based on building effective relationships with service users and their families or carers. Many nurses are based in hospitals or specialist units, but it’s also worth noting that there are a variety of positions in the community and residential settings as well.
Mental Health Nursing careers tend to be multi-disciplinary, working collaboratively with GPs, psychologists, therapists and healthcare assistants. As well as this, there’s exceptional room for growth with careers in mental health; with many people developing their skillset and transitioning into areas such as Research and Leadership.
Ami Skelly is a specialist mental health nurse in the East Riding, and told Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire Coast:
"It's a varied role and no day is the same. I work with clients in the community and help to provide interventions to adults and young people.
"I absolutely love my job despite the challenges. It's incredibly rewarding to support people in their most difficult times, and to give them hope for the future.
"To anybody who is struggling with their mental health, there is always hope and support out there. When people are experiencing those really difficult times, it feels like the bad times will never end. However, better days are always coming.
"Some people think the role is just about working in hospitals, but we work in many different ways. It can be about helping people with their medication, but the biggest part of the job is to help people make sense of their situation.
"Whatever is important to the individual is our priority".