basically it's the application of psychology in the criminal and civil justice field, so working with criminals to help them to not reoffend, working within hospitals with people who've been sectioned or have commited crimes to, things like that
I've starting using do-it to get an idea of what organisations are out there and then going on their websites to look for voluntry oppotunities. Though i did get a responce through do-it today... really need to work up courage to contact places dirrectly when they are not advertising, but i just never know what to say lol
I want to run a retreat or centre for trauma victims or maybe just certain mental health problems and have sort of my own form of pet therapy, art therapy possibly other complementary therapies and activities. Id want to run a retreat properly and have a program away from the rest of the world where young people could come. I know it sounds far fetched but i actually came up and planned the idea whilst in hospital.. i talked to other patients and thought myself what id like for help which was mainly somewhere to go away from the boundries of family etc (ofcourse theyd have to be in a certain place in their illness where i wont need to be worrying of suicide attempts etc). However thats going to be somewhere in the future with any luck.. its sort of a dream but id certainly want to expand the idea of pet therapy. As initially im wanting to become an animal behaviourist for the really deliquant animals in society and possible nuerological problems (so a shrink for the other half of our community the four legged type). I want to work with people with mental health problems, which is why im doing a psychology degree as well as animal behaviour qualifications so when im able i can go on to supporting people as it would be negligant of me to allow me to do so now or until im remotely recovered even though im able to listen it wouldnt be responsible of me to support other mentally ill. Its always been a goal in my mind and wont stop being one.
Im doing animals basically until i can support humans. This probably sounds stupid and muddled its ordered in my mind lol
“There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.”
Most of the links on do-it are out of date. I'd advise targeting an organisation directly. One that has meaning or will be of use to you.
Yeah i used do-it and i never got a reply from anything i applied for or was told it was out of date etc i did get one reply but three months later after i sent an application. I got into my current voluntary job just by turning up and enquiring and ive been there ever since. For psychology/ MH maybe search the mental health trusts in your area for programs they run, day centres, groups, days outs etc. I know there is alot where it comes to elderly, for that check charities, Care for the Aged, Alzheimers Society, (they run quite a few groups for carers and service users, ive volunteered in numerous groups for them and really enjoyed it), ,St Johns Trust are national i think and they're always after volunteers and support workers but be aware you may need a reference or two for them (as i wanted to apply but couldnt but this may not be everywhere with them) care homes and Hospices etc. Library notice boards are good to find such groups or doctors surgeries/waiting rooms.
Check Mind shops or site and Rethink for specific mental health as well.. Not sure if this is just annoying sorry if it is..
“There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.”
I'm doing my masters in psychology at the moment with the OU and I'm about a year away from graduating now!!
I dont know what I want to do though!
When we lose twenty pounds... we may be losing the twenty best pounds we have! We may be losing the pounds that contain our genius, our humanity, our love and honesty. ~Woody Allen
Is a chocolate muffin loving glitter ball
I have thought about it. I would love to give back to my community and help those that have been in similar situations as myself. I have even thought about something as simple as volunteer work, but I can't seem to find anything in that area in my community.
Scars do not define a person. They describe the journey.
I'm a 2nd year occupational therapy student, I've done two placements in mental health and loved it, 100% going into that area. :)
Scar tissue has no character. It's not like skin. It doesn't show age or illness or pallor or tan. It has no pores, no hair, no wrinkles. It's like a slip cover. It shields and disguises what's beneath. That's why we grow it; we have something to hide.
Wear a mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes. The debt we pay to human guile, with torn and broken hearts, we smile.
Does anyone ever worry that their own mental health will prevent them from working in this field? I used to work in two acute psychiatric wards and it was so intense that I broke down and ended up in hospital myself. I did find working in the community easier though but my confidence has been dented.
I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much.
Don't try to calm the storm, calm yourself, the storm will pass.
one step closer - I'm a CPN so not aspiring mh worker but I have recently noticed that my own mental health issues are huge barriers to the work. I think I'm probably in the minority of people who will admit this though.
Does anyone ever worry that their own mental health will prevent them from working in this field? I used to work in two acute psychiatric wards and it was so intense that I broke down and ended up in hospital myself. I did find working in the community easier though but my confidence has been dented.
This is exactly the reason why im doing animal behaviour with a psychology degree rather than a degree in animal science or welfare. Because i dont think id be able to suitably do a job in mental health until i am mentally stable enough but in the future i can go from animal behaviour if i want to into the human mental health field. As animals dont mentally drain you or exacerbate mental health in my case and it brings enjoyment for me so that will be good whilst im battling mental health of my own, i'll be challenging my knowledge and improving lives but in our four legged companions until im well enough to do two legged .
It depends on stability and the case of illness really because i once met a trainee mental health nurse who had schizoid-mania disorder (his words) and even though he was still battling it he was stable and just really good, he was amazing. I think as long as you're in a reasonable state of mind and able to take on other peoples problems as well as your own and not let it impact you dramatically you're fine but also it brings understanding those who havent had mental health problems wont have. Its about gaurding your self so you dont become impacted really.
Are you still under a mental health team? maybe ask them how you keep yourself stable or how to prepare for work in mental health? It sounds like maybe you should stay in community as the patients arent in the height of their illness and needing a lot of care. Have you considered other areas of mental health, like learning difficulties or special needs so its not mental health like say us for example? Just until you're weller??
Last edited by insidemyhead : 24-07-2011 at 12:18 AM.
“There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.”
Yes, I am still under a mental health team. They are trying to steer me away from working in or studying mental health but I am determined to study an msc in psychology and mental health this year. I just need some time to work on my own recovery. I hope that with time I will be more well.
I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much.
Don't try to calm the storm, calm yourself, the storm will pass.
. 