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Hot Seat!
Each month a member of the public who is involved in mental health issues, both from a professional point of view and service user point of view, will be asked questions relating to experiences, ideas, background and interests. I hope this will give an insight into mental health from different perspectives. If you have any ideas for questions that you would like to know the answers to, please do email me. I have the first Service User volunteers. As 2 were sent in, I'll put them both up.
Thanks
Questions I have come up with so far
Service Users/Survivors
1. If you work, what do you do and if not, what fulfills your day?
Not working, pretty much spend most of the day dissociating, so what I actually do in a whole day can for the most escape me.
2. If you could change anything about yourself……
I don't know that I would really, I guess if I had to pick one thing it would be to be able to use my mental health to my advantage. My diagnosis is the one skill that has kept me alive, so once I have it under control it would make a great tapping in tool.
3. Not a lot of people know this, but I'm very good at…..
Creatively expressing myself in many forms, and am very intelligent, just don't use it to my advantage really.
4. I'm not very good at…….
Sleeping, ok so that's not really the question, but most things we can set our mind to and accomplish to a relatively good degree, but sleep, still can't get that one figured.
5. My 'happy' place is….
Somewhere deep inside where I can be whoever I need to be at any given time.
6. The worst thing you could say to me is…..
Intergration.
7. Best thing my parents taught me….
They didn't teach me anything but I learned that I would never be the kind of people they are.
8. When I was a child I wanted to be….
A PE teacher.
9. If I can I always try to avoid….
Going out after dark.
10. My biggest influence is….
My internal system.
11. If I could pass any law it would be…..
Life would mean life and victims in hiding did not have to go on the electoral register.
12. If I could be someone else…..
I would still choose to be me, despite everything I am unique and have a lot of knowledge and experience, that given time can benefit many others in my situation.
13. My biggest regret….
Don't think I have any.
14. My proudest moment…
Raising healthy, all rounded and grounded kids, despite my mental health.
15. What helps you when you are feeling unwell?
Time to just be me, whatever that involves.
16. What helps you to trust professionals?
When they talk with you, not at you and hear what you are really saying to them. Not assuming that they have all the answers and that actually you might just know yourself what you need that can help you.
Service Users/Survivors
1. If you work, what do you do and if not, what fulfills your day?
Housework, visiting friends, computer graphics, TV, & sleeping.
2. If you could change anything about yourself……
Not to be so judgemental.
3. Not a lot of people know this, but I'm very good at…..
General knowlege questions.
4. I'm not very good at…….
Washing up.
5. My 'happy' place is….
Cuddling the cat.
6. The worst thing you could say to me is…..
Unconstructive criticism.
7. Best thing my parents taught me….
How to cook perfect scrambled egg.
8. When I was a child I wanted to be….
Loved.
9. If I can I always try to avoid….
Saturday morning shopping .
10. My biggest influence is….
My Auntie.
11. If I could pass any law it would be…..
Everyone under 25 should do National service for a year.
12. If I could be someone else…..
I'd be free from my bad chest.
13. My biggest regret….
Marrying my ex husband.
14. My proudest moment…
Managing to bring up 2 children who that I am proud of.
15. What helps you when you are feeling unwell?
Music, art , my children and my cat.
16. What helps you to trust professionals?
To be treated, with respect, kindness, and as an intelligent person.
For the Professionals
1. What is your job title and who do you work for?
2. How did you get into the profession you are in, what attracted you?
3. Do you ever regret doing the job you are in now?
4. If you could change anything about yourself……
5. Not a lot of people know this, but I'm very good at……
6. I'm not very good at….
7. If I have time to myself I…..
8. My 'happy' place is…..
9. The worst things you could say to me is…….
10. Best thing my parents taught me…
11. When I was a child I wanted to be…..
12. If I can, I always try to avoid….
13. My biggest influence is…
14. My greatest weakness…
15. If I could pass any law it would be….
16. If I could be someone else….
17. My biggest regret….
18. My proudest moment….
19. When I need to wind down I…..
20. What's the worst bit about your job?
21. What's the best bit about your job?
22. What is the hardest thing you have ever had to do?
23. Do you have anyone to talk to when you are feeling stressed?
24. What personal skills or experience do you have that would enable you to empathise and understand a mental health sufferer and how the illness affects their day to day life?
25. What have clients/patients taught/you learnt from them that a text book or formal teaching doesn't tell you?
26. Services in different areas vary, what do you do if you know a client needs a particular service which isn't available in your area?
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