In this episode, Chris engages in a deep conversation with Paul, a psychosocial nurse with extensive experience in therapeutic communities. Paul shares insights from his nine years of working with patients diagnosed with personality disorders, emphasising the importance of seeing individuals beyond their labels. He discusses his competitive nature in running and how it reflects his personality, while also highlighting the social aspects of community events like park runs. The conversation shifts to the complexities of working in mental health, particularly the discrimination surrounding personality disorders and the challenges of navigating institutional prejudices. Paul reflects on his experiences in high-security environments and the subtle and not-so-subtle discrimination faced by patients, advocating for a more human-centred approach in mental health care.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul and His Background

04:45 The Impact of Labels in Mental Health

11:19 Experiences of Prejudice and Discrimination

19:12 Navigating the Therapeutic Community

27:21 The Role of Outreach Services

36:00 Challenging Institutional Norms

48:14 The Importance of Reflection and Supervision

59:04 Creating a Therapeutic Environment

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