A Career in Mental Health Care

This one day conference is aimed at students who would like to pursue a career within the world of Mental Health Care. During the conference students will hear from qualified practioners and they will also have the opportunity to hear from individuals who suffer/have suffered from conditions which include schizophrenia, a terminal brain tumour, depression and addiction. It is our aim to give them an insight into university life through staying in University Halls of Residence and moving around a University Campus along with enriching their understanding of their chosen career. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions of all speakers and discuss routes into the careers they are looking to pursue. Handouts will be available on the day of conference also.

The conference will start at 2.15pm on Thursday 10^th July 2008 and finish at approx 1.30pm on Friday 11^th July 2008 and will be held at the University of Leicester. The cost per student is £95 and this will include all conference materiels, accommodation in a single study room, evening meal, full English breakfast and refreshments during conference. Please note that it does not include travel costs.

Any students wishing to attend should

· contact us either on 01509 550832 or via email insight.conferences@ntlworld.com to make a provisional booking

· We will forward a brochure and booking form to them along with their allocated reference number

· Student should then send a £20 deposit to secure place followed by remaining £75 no later than 10^th June 2008, quoting their reference number.

During the conference students will have the opportunity to hear from professionals who work within this area and also to speak to patients suffering with some conditions which they may come in contact with (details below concerning each person) Below is an outline of the presentations which will be on offer over the 2 days.

The Role of the Mental Health Nurse - Mental health nursing is a challenging branch of nursing and requires an empathetic nature and the desire to assist people with complex and varied problems. In order to qualify you will need to be able to nurse and communicate with people of all ages and ranges of mental health difficulties. During this presentation you will hear from a Mental Health Nurse who works within this area of expertise. Hear what a day in their life involves ……………………

The Role of the Psychiatrist They will often combine a broad general caseload alongside an area of special expertise and research. Our understanding of how the mind works and the causes of dysfunction still has a long way to go. This is an area of fundamental importance to very large numbers of people. – If Psychiatry is an area you are considering this presentation will give you an insight into the career path and possible career opportunities once you have qualified. We will also look at what is involved in working as a Psychiatrist and look at some case studies. Psychiatrists deal with mental health.

Drugs and mental health (Debate) - Recreational drugs, by their nature, mess with your mind - that's partly the idea. But sometimes, and for some people, the effects aren't that desirable. What can it do to my head? As the drug kicks in, users may experience an initial rush of nervousness, and uncertainty. Some users have reported a bad experience on ecstasy, including feelings of paranoia and confusion. It is very common to suffer minor depression in the days following the use of ecstasy. There is fierce debate about the long-term psychological effects of ecstasy. Some users have experienced memory problems, severe sleep problems and major depression following regular use. During this session we explore and debate these issues.

Forensic Psychiatry –This is a challenging speciality, both intellectually and emotionally. The work requires a grasp of not only good psychiatric practice, but also criminology, sociology, criminal justice and law. The patients encountered in forensic psychiatry tend to have very complex psychopathology, which in conjunction with the legal context in which they are encountered makes their management both challenging and stimulating. We hear all about the day in the life of a practising Forensic Psychologist ………………………

Living with Schizophrenia – Stuart Baker – Brown, 43, was diagnosed with schizophrenia I 1996. Hear Stuart’s unique and personal insight into his condition.

“in the past schizophrenia has broken my life and taken away many of life’s opportunities, such as work and the ability to interact with society and family or even myself. The symptoms have been very disabling and destructive and have included psychosis (elusion and hallucinations) which is understood to be a disturbance of sensory perception and creates the inability to recognise reality from the unreal. There is also the stigma and discrimination attached to the condition, especially the perceived link to violence – less tan 1% of those diagnosed are violent towards others. “ Hear Stuart’s story ……..

Martin’s Story – Living with a Brain Tumour - “ I am an old boy at 27 who was made to grow up very quickly through my childhood and in many ways I feel as if I lost the innocence and am still lookinf for it as I am nearing my 30’s. With a close loving family and good friends here in England and around the world, I am one of the lucky ones who has the arrogance to now stare my illness in the face and refuse to give in to it. I live a life in constant discomfort due to an inoperable growth on my spine, I am undergoing various painful treatments to rebuild 13 years of damage done to my body by my brain tumour, the surgery and radiotherapy and medication used to treat it and people often say “I,m so sorry to hear that” – the fact is I am still alive”. Listen to Martin’s story …………

Addiction – Bob has spent 18 years of his early life driting in and out of prison. He was an alcoholic and a drug addict. Bob will talk frankly about his experiences and how these addictions have affected his life. Bob will also talk about his life today having been a probation officer, broadcaster, writer and public speaker.

Depression – Students will hear from a sufferer of depression how their life and that of their families has been affected. We will also discuss and debate the treatments for depression.

Should you require further information or wish to book a place please contact us.

Many thanks

Claire Thompson

Insight Conferences