Having worked for 15 years across wards and in community mental health, I learned a great deal about neurodevelopmental conditions.
Apart from a brief spell working across the mental health crisis lines during the pandemic, the majority of the past six years have been spent working across autism – and more recently – ADHD. Whether in my professional career, or across my family and friends, I am often reminded that mental health can affect anybody.
I find it beneficial to talk to colleagues, spend time with family and friends, talk to my dog and regularly exercise. While this works for me most of the time, I have occasionally needed to speak with another professional, which I have found helpful.
All in all, I believe that I can make a far greater impact and perform my job to a higher level if I’m not hugely stressed and have been able to speak with others about how I am feeling.