Recently, I have been reminded afresh that in unexpected environments and using unexpected teachers God reveals himself and his will to us. Earlier this year, I was on a placement in an older persons' mental health unit on a secure ward for patients with acute presentation of organic disorders.This manifested itself...
Abortion continues to be a major political, cultural and spiritual battleground, and the question of whether abortion is linked to mental health problems in women has long been a part of this debate. Assessing the effect of abortion on mental health is complex and controversial, and findings are frequently conflicting. Even...
I n 2017, Nursing Standard reported 10% of nurses in England who take sick leave do so because of anxiety, stress or depression. (1) In a 2016 investigation into the impact of perceived stress and ability to cope, 92% of nurses reported moderate-very high stress levels, with more than 60%...
First, let's blow a myth. Christians can and do get depressed and they can and do suffer from mental health conditions. Many great Christians, including Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, John Newton and Mother Theresa battled bouts of depression and/or anxiety. If you are or have struggled with mental illness, you're...
I celebrated my 21st birthday the way I think most people dream of. Friends travelled from near and far to be with me on the occasion. My boyfriend at my side, we shared cake and stories and celebrated in my beautiful countryside home. By the same day the following year,...
In the same year as the NHS was formed, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health as 'a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity'. (1) This definition pioneered, within modern healthcare, a recognition of holistic health and the rounded, multifaceted nature...
This edition of Spotlight is on mental health. It seems all of us, or people close to us, are affected at some stage of our lives by poor mental health. As nurses, we may be particularly vulnerable to depression or burnout due to both our personality types and the highly...