Mental Health Act

I also think that MH nursing (and social work too) benefit from some degree of maturity. Someone who has seen a bit of life and had life experiences.

I don't know what age is best for a MH worker. My CPN is mature and imo is also burnt out. She was the least caring person I've ever met. I'm still on her list but she hasn't been in touch for the last three years since it was decided that I wasn't suitable for DBT. I guess she has too many patients clients on her list and the 'incurable' (like me) are pushed to the bottom whilst she works with people she can help.

At one stage I was also handed over to a very young psychologist. It was unfair on both of us. She couldn't hide that my symptoms and self harming behaviours upset her and I felt really bad that she was upset and it made my condition worse.

I'm not sure what the answer is. Just relating my experiences.

daphnedill i certainly know of Rainhill and my sister trained at another such institution called Greaves Hall . I'm sure 'Care in the Community' was before .2003 but I have mixed feelings about institutionalised care. Certainly many of the 'inmates' or patients felt safe and secure within these places and were, under the best regimes, care for, fed, clothed and had company.

The concept of Care in the Community is a good one but only for the right people. This was, IMO, a case of throwing the baby out with the bath water and the idea that there is a one-fit for all.

Most of all such a project needs funding, monitoring and constantly updating. Sadly, under successive government is had just petered out until our streets are full of the homeless, the alcoholic, the mentally disturbed and those who are a danger to themselves (mainly) and a danger to others (occasionally).

A society can be judged on the way it treats its poor, its waifs and strays, its old people, its animals and those who cannot cope by themselves.

I don't think age is relevant really, you either have an aptitude for MH work or not. Although I think maybe a bit of life experience helps.

Yes, it certainly was before 2003. My sister trained in the late 1970s/early 1980s and it wasn't long after that. The training systems have all changed since then.

Psychiatric nurses are trained in dozens of different mental health conditions and work in all sorts of settings, including residential and the home. I doubt if many of us have come across more than a few conditions in our everyday lives.

I don't know the details of the current course, but I doubt if it could be delivered in a few weeks or even months.