Lizzie Stephens - Mental Health

Lizzie is a fully trained Registered Psychiatric nurse who trained at Birmingham University and has subsequently held several increasingly senior positions in the NHS.  She is now the deputy chief nurse in an women’s acute mental health ward.

Her talk covered the whole range of causes, types and symptoms of the wide spectrum of psychotic mental issues.  She exploded many of the myths and superstition surrounding this once, and still regarded as, stigmatising illness. She carefully explained that the highest rate of suicides was in fact amongst 20-45 year males where stress, over bearing responsibilities and perceived inadequacies overwhelmed them.  Had men in this group been able to “start a conversation” and share their anxieties and concerns with a friend or relative then the door towards help and treatment could have been opened. The response to the frequent greeting of “hello how are you?” should be listened to carefully, as a hesitant or cautious reply could opening needed to help someone.

Open and frank describe the final part of Lizzie’s talk when she revealed that she had herself faced the prospect of self harming at it’s most serious. The courage of a young woman to go from such a serious state of mind to then undertake training to alleviate the mental stress of other victims on mental ill health has to be applauded.

Thanks Lizzie.

Roger Hart