More than half of my life, I am into promoting mental health. Since I graduated from college, I have worked at a mental health facility for years, even now as a consultant. I have clients I meet at the rehabilitation center, communities, or even at a place that is not threatening to clients. I am so glad that my clients still seek my help, my friends seek my presence and even others who trust me share their difficulties. And this completes me.
Besides that, I am happy every time it is the 2nd semester of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) course. Because it is during this semester that Psychiatric nursing is offered. For the past 20 years, I have always chosen to teach it. I can share my encounters and moments of witnessing clients after all their struggles with mental illness. And then able to survive, find hope, and realize that life is worth living.
As a nurse, I am comfortable caring for clients with maladaptive behavior patterns. I feel that I was born to listen to people who are disturbed, hopeless, helpless, in pain, or depressed. I know I am not an expert in treating open wounds, even abrasions. But I am aware that God made me an instrument for healing unseen people's inner wounds, so agonizing that they try to hide and appear strong.
Please let me share my recent experience with my nursing students caring for clients diagnosed with substance abuse, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc. Of course, lectures about all the diseases mentioned are expected to be done before we care for our clients. It is always important to educate students about the disease definition, etiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic test, medications and treatments, nursing diagnosis, and nursing care. They can be ready for their clinical exposures when they understand how clients must be cared for and even trained in therapies that need implementation.
On their first day of duty, I noticed it was hard for the students to initiate therapeutic communication with their clients. No matter how they memorize and practice those therapeutic communication strategies, they become mute because of fear and anxiety. They think that clients might harm them, or they are conscious because their clinical instructors are listening to them.
On the second day, I saw that the students could maintain eye-to-eye contact when they spoke with their clients. And it was good that tensions were lessened, and their clients were comfortable participating in the therapies, as this is also important to build trust. Some clients begin to share their life stories, and some still are secretive. But there are students I saw teary-eyed and with empathy as they listened to their clients' struggles.
On their third day of duty, I find students able to establish good professional relationships. During the activities, I saw in them that fulfillment because they became the source of joy for their clients. I felt great joy when I heard the client's willingness to get healed and trust that they would be home with their loved ones in time.
But I have to say, there are still clients with poor insights, especially those that are newly admitted. Some clients question why their families brought them to the rehabilitation center; they felt betrayed and deprived of freedom. And this breaks my heart because they do not yet understand their need for help. They think they were abandoned, not realizing that the great love of their families brought them to the rehabilitation center.
And then days had passed, fourth, fifth and .... As I was watching our students, I saw a big difference. If before there were complaints of fear, too much work to do, sleepless nights, energy deficiency, etc, now I find their eagerness to give more, to stay, to sing a song for them, to dance with the music, sit beside them, and listen to their stories. And the students would ask me for more time to be with their clients. When before, others would start the day by asking me what time we were going to leave. Big change!
Our dear students, we are sorry, but we cannot extend our Psychiatric clinical duty. Sad to say it ends today, but the learnings, encounters, and how we all have taken care of them and how they responded to us will remain in our hearts. Yes, memories may fade, but the unconditional love, care, and respect we have shared with them will stay in their hearts, as they will remain in our hearts too.
I will also never forget Ma’am Jenneth Estampa and Sir Czar Jacobe, my co-clinical instructors who were very passionate about mental health. Thanks also to the rehabilitation center staff. I salute your professionalism and caring expertise. Oh, let us all continue to be men and women for others - live a life of service and compassion! And yes, all of this completes me.