Jaspal Lotay's story:

It's been a journey and a host of experiences which just reminds me of how much there is yet to learn.

 

I come from early trauma and was always intrigued by behaviour and the actions of others. Thinking why do people hurt and why do they hurt each other. When I was little and asked what I wanted to do always said 'I want to change the world' It's probably because I had experiences which taught me to be empathetic early on being a young carer. Also because I felt hurt and I wanted to heal, I didn't want cycles to continue. 

 

I came into psychology in my teens and followed Into degree level, then went to gain some experience in a women's acute mental health unit. 

This experience was my first real exposure to severe mental illness, psychosis, major depressive disorder, mania, suicide and self-harm. I felt the illness aside, being human in a harsh environment helped to create a sense of normality. The women there I will never forget. 

 

I went on to do a degree in psychiatric nursing, started working and found I struggled with the system being medicalised. Sometimes people are treated without context or without holistic thought.

After many years of gaining experience, I decided to study Art psychotherapy and I'm 2/3's into this training. In enables me to think both in terms of treatment and the system but also therapeutically and in depth. 

I continue to work as a psychiatric nurse in a crisis team currently working with a range of illness because I believe it's part of me as much as the therapy is.

It's astounding on how no matter how many people I've met within these services, every situation remains unique and so heartfelt. 

I try to tell my patients that being with them in the darkest moments are an honour, an honour to hear what they think and how they feel.. at the same time holding hope for recovery for them when they are unable to. 

There is no one I have met who I think cannot get better and their quality of life cannot be supported to improve. 

We are privileged to work in the care service, bringing heart and soul to work, humour, challenges and non-judgement. 

Mental illness can affect anyone, anytime without discrimination.. me without my family and structures to ground me is not a healthy me. This is a reminder to be kind and open in any situation. 

Currently, I'm working with adults and children as a trainee therapist, working with the full spectrum of disorder and experience as well as those who wish to self-discover. 

I believe an understanding of self means we can be better people to others. 

 

The stories over the years are endless in how tough yet inspiring things have been, I'm happy to share more with anyone who wishes to talk in more depth. 

 

Thank you for allowing me to share my condensed version of years of my relationship with mental health and Ill health.