Guest Post By NurseWithGlasses – 20 Commandments For Mental Health Workers

Thou shalt respect your client and not judge;

Thou shalt increase the well-being, opportunities and happiness of your client;

Thou shalt be in time for appointments and ‘phone calls. It will show your client that he matters;

Thou shalt have a well-chosen and well-timed sense of humour;

Thou shalt reconsider your ‘professional distance’ if it makes your client feel he stands alone; Show that you are a person too.

Thou shalt not let your bad mood or personal issues influence your professional attitude;

Thou shalt have an open conversation if your client is suicidal and give good support and protection if necessary;

Thou shalt not hide behind a newspaper on the ward or make any other unapproachable impression otherwise;

Thou shalt not hide and chat in the nurses’ offices but be with your clients as much as possible to create a safe and friendly environment;

Thou shalt consider family and good friends of your clients as team players (unless it’s impossible) and support them well in the interests of your client;

Thou shalt inspire and support your colleagues to make mental healthcare as good and friendly as possible and ask and give feedback on a regular basis to become a ‘winning team’;

Thou shalt inform your clients well about side effects of medication, observe well and help to find solutions if needed;

Thou shalt not avoid the subject ‘sexual side effects of medication’;

Thou shalt help your client to get good dental and physical care and support them on doctor and dentist visits if needed;

Thou shalt help your client to exercise on a regular basis (walk, run, cycle etc) to increase their health

Thou shalt support your client to overcome financial or housing problems and fight bureaucracy;

Thou shalt listen well to the client’s aspirations for their life and give support to achieve them;

Thou shalt stand up for the rights of your client;

Thou shalt fight the stigma of mental illness on every opportunity;

Thou shalt help your client to keep up hope

www.20commandments.blogspot.co.uk

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