Say it Loud for the People in the Back
Brittney Majefski, MSN, RN, PMH-BC
Program Director, Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses
Promoting Mental Health Through Storytelling
I HAVE BEEN A PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE for most of my nursing career. I speak openly about decreasing stigma and increasing awareness of these issues. I talk regularly about promoting mental health in our profession and outside of it. So, when I was asked to write a brief article for Mental Health Awareness Month, without hesitation, I said Yes. Over the next week or so however I really belabored over where to start? What specific things to discuss? This is such a hugely important issue and to write something meaningful in 750 words about it is challenging for this rather long-winded writer.
Then it hit me, in my daily work I talk to others about the importance of seeking support and taking care of yourself however, in my own experience this is so much easier to talk about and advocate for than to do for yourself.
Why is it that as a society typically no one thinks twice about telling someone they are going in for their annual physical, but we struggle to talk to one another about seeking help for our mental health? Let’s normalize mental health as much as we have physical health. People are quick to talk about their health goals as it relates to physical fitness and nutrition. I see empowering posts all the time on social media for people that are working towards said health goals. However, it is a rarity to see an individual post about their mental health goals. You checked in at your therapist office? Good on you. You set boundaries today? Awesome. You took a five-minute fresh air break for mental clarity? Wonderful. Mental Health is health and by normalizing talking about it, we can move towards empowering others to seek and receive the help they need.
What is Your Story?
We all have one and by sharing even a small part of it, you never know who it can impact. You are saying, it is ok to not be ok, and together we can support one another as a profession in seeking health strategies for overall wellbeing.
Let’s normalize mental health as much as we have physical health.
So, In efforts to practice what I advocate for I felt it was only fitting to heed my own advice and tell a brief story of part of my own journey to mental health.
Picture this: Fresh out of nursing school, I took the first job offer I received as I was so ready to start my professional practice. With a new stethoscope and freshly embroidered scrubs with the initials, RN on them, I was on cloud nine! What I did not know is that over the next few months, an overwhelming sensation of impending doom would set in. It started off great, I had a great community, was successful at school and felt well prepared by my nursing program so why suddenly, was I feeling this? Sound familiar?
It's as though it hit me for the first time, the true seriousness and responsibility that is placed on nurses’ shoulders. Within a couple of weeks, my physical and mental health started to struggle. The drive into work and on the way home was usually filled with tears and anxiety or dread. Had I forgotten something? Did I get everything documented? What if I mess up and hurt someone? These were questions constantly perplexing me. I even started questioning my choice in becoming a nurse (which I had just weeks earlier been ecstatic to start my journey). What was happening to me?
What is even more concerning is that I had a great poker face while at work. Not one of my colleagues on the floor was aware I was having these intrusive thoughts. They assumed I had it all together and was otherwise transitioning into practice really well. I contemplated quitting on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. No manager, no charge nurse or no new co-worker knew I was thinking this until the day I turned in my notice. Surprise!
So what happened? I am to this day a very proud nurse that has felt lucky to work with some amazing people throughout my career. My family and friends encouraged me to seek support and help during this time in my early career. Even with the encouragement, I still felt a sense of “shame” and “guilt” that I couldn’t just “deal” with this myself. Commence feelings of being an imposter and not worthy of the title.
It took a lot to finally reach out. However, once I did, I found a load of support waiting with open, non-judgmental and caring arms. In addition to identifying the situational anxiety and working with a clinician and physician, I opened up a bit and found the cathartic nature of talking to my peers in nursing about this experience. I was not alone—and neither are you!
While this is but a small part of my story, we all have stories to tell that may help encourage or empower others to seek support. Whether it is a story about a situational time in your life or one that is more chronic in nature that led you to seek help, your story matters.
This experience taught me that as healthcare professionals, we do not only need the support of our families and friends, but also of our colleagues. Why is it that I felt shame to seek professional support for this, but never felt shame walking into the gym to work on my cardio? Together, we can share our stories and normalize that to have true wellness, we must include all domains.
So, I ask, what is your story? We all have one and by sharing even a small part of it, you never know who it can impact. You are saying, it is ok to not be ok, and together we can support one another as a profession in seeking health strategies for overall wellbeing.
Today I went for a walk to try and clear my mind of all my negative, self-defeating thoughts. What did you do for your mental health today?
If you find that you are struggling with mental health and/or substance use concerns, TPAPN is here to help. Reach out today for more information.
If you are interested in helping other nurses through peer support, I encourage you to volunteer with the Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses and work with us to continue to normalize conversations about Mental Health. We are here and ready to help. TN
