Who am I? The identity crisis of mental health professionals living with mental illness

Abstract

What is known on the subject?: Large numbers of mental health professionals live with their own mental health challenges. Despite working in mental health care, they can experience stigma in the workplace. Mental health professionals with lived experience of mental illness can find it a challenge to integrate their identities as both mental health professional and mental health service user. There are currently limited options available to them. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: This is a personal reflection from a mental health nurse and lecturer, who lives with a severe and enduring mental illness. It offers a lived experience account of the identity struggles of a mental health professional living with a mental illness. This article attempts to redefine the identity of professionals with personal lived experience in a more positive manner. They can be valued and celebrated for their unique perspective on mental illness and mental health care. What are the implications for practice?: There remains a stigma attached to people living with mental health conditions. This article challenges some of this stigma. It will empower and encourage other health professionals with lived experience to embrace all aspects of their identity with authenticity and courage. Abstract: There are growing numbers of mental health professionals with their own lived experience of mental illness. This is both in part due to increased visibility and openness, and students embarking on professional courses motivated by their own personal mental health history. The somewhat limited research in this area highlights the difficulty practitioners have in navigating this distinct identity. There are limited options, including a wounded healer, an impaired professional and professional survivor. All have their limitations. We need to revise the conceptualisation of mental health professionals with personal lived experience of mental illness. Our identity needs to be celebrated and valued, as are the roles of peer support worker and expert by experience. Through personal reflection, I describe my own challenges in negotiating my identity as a mental health nurse, lecturer, and service user. My solution is to embrace authenticity and have the courage to stand in vulnerability and strength, embracing all aspects of myself. I call for others to do the same.