Today, Saturday 21 February, we are marking Mental Health Nurses Day by recognising the vital contribution of Mental Health Nurses across our Trust.
Mental Health Nurses play a key role in supporting people through some of the most challenging times in their lives.
Jo Perry, Director of Nursing - Mental Health Practice, shares her thanks to all our mental health nurses in Team HIOW Healthcare:
Today, on Mental Health Nurses Day, I want to say a genuine thank you.
I hope today you have an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the role you undertake. The work that you do each and every day makes a real difference – not just to the people you care for, but to their families, loved ones and communities.
Mental health nursing is complex, requiring skillful, compassionate, and collaborative interactions. As a mental health nurse, you are supporting people who are experiencing incredibly difficult times, often in their most vulnerable moments, holding hope and supporting them to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life. People share with us the most private and intimate aspects of their lives, trusting us with this information, a privilege that I know we all recognise each and every day.
I am extremely proud to be a mental health nurse and am extremely grateful to each and every one of you for all that you do.
Hearing from our nurses
We also spoke to mental health nurses across the Trust about their profession:
Millie, Mental Health Nurse, said:
I love being a mental health nurse because I get to be there for people when they’re going through some of the toughest times in their lives. Being someone they can trust, and seeing them slowly find their strength again, is what makes it all worth it.
Casey, Perinatal Mental Health Nurse, said:
I’m proud to be a perinatal mental health nurse because every day I’m trusted with someone’s story at their most vulnerable. Standing beside someone in their darkest moments and helping them find hope again is the greatest privilege of this profession.
Kirsty, Community Mental Health Nurse, said:
I am proud to be a Mental Health Nurse because the role allows me to stand alongside people at their most vulnerable and offer care that is grounded in dignity, compassion, and hope. Every day I have the privilege of helping individuals make sense of their experiences, regain a sense of safety, and reconnect with their strengths. The work is complex and emotionally demanding, yet profoundly meaningful; it requires clinical skill, emotional intelligence, and a deep respect for each person’s story. Being able to contribute to someone’s recovery, even in small and quiet ways, is an honour—and it is this combination of human connection, advocacy, and purposeful impact that makes me proud of the profession I represent.
Sue, Senior Staff Nurse, said:
I supported a friend through a mental health crisis and realised that there was a lot more to a job than monitory value, and I was right.
Hearing from our patients
One community mental health patient said: "I just want to say that I really appreciate you and can not stress enough how grateful I am for everything you do, including all the stuff you do outside of office hours when you don't have to."
One family contacted our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) a year after discharge to share an update. They said their young person was now “doing really well” and wanted to express appreciation for the support received during treatment.
Another family shared this message after celebrating a milestone birthday:
“We celebrated our child’s 18th this weekend. Thank you so much for the part you played in helping us to get here. We are always grateful.”
Mental Health Nurses Day is an opportunity to pause and say thank you.
We are proud of the professionalism, dedication and care shown by our Mental Health Nurses across all our services. Their work makes a lasting difference to individuals, families and communities. Thank you.
If you would like to learn more about mental health nursing opportunities in Team HIOW Healthcare, please visit our careers page.