As of October I'll be an undergraduate BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology student at a London university.
I have the option of doing a placement year inbetween my second and third years, which I am quite excited about.
After I graduate I plan on doing an MSc in Clincal Foresnic Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry and then after that getting my full accreditation from the British Psychological Society to become a chartered Forensic Psychologist.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
As of October I'll be an undergraduate BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology student at a London university.
I have the option of doing a placement year inbetween my second and third years, which I am quite excited about.
After I graduate I plan on doing an MSc in Clincal Foresnic Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry and then after that getting my full accreditation from the British Psychological Society to become a chartered Forensic Psychologist.
I was considering that course! Also considering the Forensic Mental Health course or the research Psychology course there. Becoming a Forensic Psychologist has been one of the options I've been considering, but I'm more interested in researching the police side of things (especially with police and mental health incidents/critical situations) than treatment programmes etc so it doesn't quite fit.
But I thought I'd post in this thread anyway because it's still one of my options. I'm not looking for a job in that area at the moment because things are a bit complicated with family stuff. But it's interesting stuff. :)
Yes, you can get HCAs on the mental health side, they're sometimes called Nursing Assistants.
I think it'd be cool to be a porter; I just don't think I could do with taking folks down to the mortuary in the middle of the night!
It's a way off yet, but I'm not sure if I'd be better at working in OT on the physical side instead of psychiatric. Doing a degree, I'd be gaining experience in both areas (plus neuro-sciency stuff, which is a bit of both) but am a bit torn about which way to go. I'm not sure I'm robust enough to work in mental health, plus I'm not conversational enough. Being a 'proper' OT, ie. working on a ward would be best, but in my area OTs pretty much do the same as CPNs in the community - not sure I could deal with that.
Yeah there are I used to be one I would strongly suggest having a stronger recovery first it is hard and A surprising amount of responsability. However it is extremely worthwhile and at times fun.PM if you want to talk about itxx
I'd like to have a career in the mental health field, but, would i be able to because of my own mental health? Are people who have or have had mental health issues allowed to work with mentally ill people? Anybody? I don't want to be stuck stacking shelves in 10 years.
^ I ahve anorexia and depression/PTSD/anxiety/dissociation/whatever label they decide upon on any given day and I have worked with people with MH problems.
What they want is evidence that you're well, getting well, and have a system in place to help prevent and deal with relapse.
What they want is evidence that you're well, getting well, and have a system in place to help prevent and deal with relapse.
That's really helpful to know Jodie :)
I need to pass some sort of thing to say I'm able to counsel, so I'll keep that in mind!
Yeah I imagine if you're well enough and have care in place, then you'll be fine. I saw a psychiatrist on tv once who had a history of depression, so it's not so uncommon. I mean, mental illness is very common among all works of life - as long as it doesn't affect your work, then you'd be fine :)
Just want to say good luck to you all. I'm sure with your own experiences you will bring valuable insights and understanding to help people like yourselves.
I must agree with Jodie here yes there are people who might make it difficult but if you can prove you have adequate support in place there is nothing to stop you. After I left my first mh job due to my anorexia it took me a while to find work again but I did eventually. Dont give upxx
i really want to be a mh nurse.
ive heard its 3 years after coming out of hospital before you can start training, but does it matter if you have been on a mh section?
i know a few nurses that are on meds and have had therapy, but i dont think they have been sectioned
I'm fine! Totally fine. I don't know why it's coming out all loud and squeaky, 'cause really, I'm fine!
Oh I've never seen this thread before! I really, really want to me a MHW. I want to study psychology at uni, but I just need to get the a-levels first to get into uni!
i really want to be a mh nurse.
ive heard its 3 years after coming out of hospital before you can start training, but does it matter if you have been on a mh section?
i know a few nurses that are on meds and have had therapy, but i dont think they have been sectioned
You can start your training at any point. You just have to pass the OH inspection. All you need is to prove you'e now well and have a support system in place to prevent relapse. They may want to monitor you closely first year.
I hopefully will become a clinical psychologist in a few years :) once i finish my A levels i would like to do a psychology degree then a clinical psychology doctorate then specialise in children and adolescents. :)
Its good to know that you can still get where you want even with a history of MH :)
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said "I just don't care"?
I start back at my classes tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it, my classes make me feel really good about myself, like I'm doing something right. I feel so passionate for it.
I feel I'm crashing this thread some what especially because I'm not particularly looking into being a mental health worker, but I have just recentley applied to be a volunteer for the samaritans, which I'm quite excited about really =)
I've been back for ages! I only get four weeks off which I had in July, and two weeks at Christmas! I'm on placement just now for the next 9 weeks before I go back to uni!
Some helpful websites for advice & information on mental health:
I've had a change of plans! I am now looking into going into educational psychology rather than forensic (in part because the training is funded lol), going to try to get a shadowing placement or some work experiance in each field and see which I prefer.
Has anyone else ever done any forms of placement or whatever? I am trying to compose some letters to send out to places asking about it (think they are called "speculative letters"?) but I am unsure as to what to write
