Working in mental health

[ratsinmybrain]

I work at a residential treatment center for adolescents (teenagers 13-17.) I see the ways my own mental health struggles help me work with this population. It's easier to have empathy and build rapport when I've been in similar situations of my own as I've also been to treatments centers many times in my life. But when I'm going through periods of intense suicidal ideation it makes me feel like a poser. I work 12 hour shifts trying to convince these kids to give life a chance but don't believe in it for myself. It's just a weird dynamic I've been trying to navigate.
Anyone here work in mental health while dealing with thoughts yourself?

 

[Slark]

I think this is more common than it seems. I used to see a psychiatrist who tried to kill himself by jumping out of a window. I believe some mental health professionals are also affected by their contact with patients who are suffering.

 

[Somewhat Suicidal]

think this is more common than it seems. [...] I believe some mental health professionals are also affected by their contact with patients who are suffering.

This.
Many go themselves to therapy in some institutions that's even thing for just everyone as I recently learned.
We also have/had a user here who is a paramedic at the very least. But probably some more covert psychologists as well I would assume.

 

[ratsinmybrain]

This.
Many go themselves to therapy in some institutions that's even thing for just everyone as I recently learned.
We also have/had a user here who is a paramedic at the very least. But probably some more covert psychologists as well I would assume.

lol I used to be an EMT. Almost got my para but had to stop because of physical health reasons.
I also hated the way psychosis was talked about in school. Very dehumanizing. Which is rich because it's a field with high rates of poor mental health and suicide attempts. It wasn't uncommon to get a call and pull up to realize it was a coworker.

 

[diospyros.kaki]

i'm in a similar boat. it's interesting helping them develop healthier coping strategies when i'm like, doing the complete opposite and researching how to ctb.

i also agree that it helps you with empathy and such, as i see people who work in this field and don't seem to grasp how hard it is to deal with (serious) mental health issues. knowing from first hand can help with building rapport, even when you'll never open up about your own struggles to them.

 

[Somewhat Suicidal]

I also hated the way psychosis was talked about in school. Very dehumanizing. Which is rich because it's a field with high rates of poor mental health and suicide attempts. It wasn't uncommon to get a call and pull up to realize it was a coworker.

This is paradoxical yeah. I've heard similar stories of it being talked about in a disparaging way in those circles as well.

knowing from first hand can help with building rapport, even when you'll never open up about your own struggles to them.

As a patient I often had the feeling opening up somewhat about it would be the best way to build rapport and feel people seen and understood. I don't feel most therapists ever understood my most pressing problems for real, they just tried to solve them by the book which never really worked particularly well or in any sustained manner. It just added some ups and downs to the everlasting downwards spiral.

 

[GodzillasBiggestFan]

i dont work in mental health, but i was in a residental treatment center as a teen. i felt like most people there didnt understand me or what i went through and i think its good you work there even though you struggle too. you probably understand them so much better then anyone i talked to when i was there. also i hope your experinece when you were in them was okay. my experience in wasn't very good. which is why i think its good that there's someone working at one now that does understand, thoes places would be better with more who understand, especially those who were in one before anad have seen that side of it too.

 

[Lastact]

I work at a residential treatment center for adolescents (teenagers 13-17.) I see the ways my own mental health struggles help me work with this population. It's easier to have empathy and build rapport when I've been in similar situations of my own as I've also been to treatments centers many times in my life. But when I'm going through periods of intense suicidal ideation it makes me feel like a poser. I work 12 hour shifts trying to convince these kids to give life a chance but don't believe in it for myself. It's just a weird dynamic I've been trying to navigate.
Anyone here work in mental health while dealing with thoughts yourself?

Kind of yes. I also work in a crisis facility with adolescents and I tried to kill myself a few times. However I mean what I say to them. I just don't believe it for myself. Does this make any sense?
Sometimes I feel ashamed when I tell people who know my story where I work. I felt also ashamed when I told my therapist because I was scared what she must think about me. Can't help myself but I try to help others. She saw me in my worst moments and then I work in such facilitys. What must she thinking? ...

 

[ratsinmybrain]

It makes total sense. I spend hours coaching them to use their DBT skills just for me to go on break and log in to this site.

Kind of yes. I also work in a crisis facility with adolescents and I tried to kill myself a few times. However I mean what I say to them. I just don't believe it for myself. Does this make any sense?
Sometimes I feel ashamed when I tell people who know my story where I work. I felt also ashamed when I told my therapist because I was scared what she must think about me. Can't help myself but I try to help others. She saw me in my worst moments and then I work in such facilitys. What must she thinking? ...

It makes total sense. I spend hours coaching them to use their DBT skills just for me to go on break and log in to this site.

And I 100% relate to feeling ashamed telling people where you work. I feel that way especially with my therapist and psychiatrist. Who they see in their office is an entirely different person than who works the floor.

 

[Lastact]

Yes I feel totally the same! Feels good to be understood. In my working context I'm always smiling, people who don't know me better would never think that I'm struggelung with depression. At work I can be very professional.

It makes total sense. I spend hours coaching them to use their DBT skills just for me to go on break and log in to this site.

And I 100% relate to feeling ashamed telling people where you work. I feel that way especially with my therapist and psychiatrist. Who they see in their office is an entirely different person than who works the floor.

Do your therapist and psychiatrist know what you're working?
My dream was always to help people. If I live, I want to help others. But it feels so wrong and hypocrtical when I think at my situation