Mental Health Physiotherapy

[phyzzio]

I am the superintendent of an active Mental Health Physiotherapy department and head of the Central Therapies Department - includes OT and complimentary therapists. We treat a variety of physical conditions as well as the MH side. We have 3 acute wards, including a High Dependancy Unit, 2 Rehab wards, 2 neuro-behavioural, 2 Older Persons Assessment units and Day Hospital, and a Drug and Alcohol Abuse Unit. As well as these we also have a Child and Adolecence Unit and 5 local Mental Health Resource Centres, each with 8 beds and day service and a Post Natal Unit.
From a physical side, we treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, chronic pain, MS, dystrophies, post traumatic stress disorders (and the accompanying amputations etc), head injuries - recent as well as established, fractures etc.
I have worked in MH for over 20 years and have treated the majority of complaints that you would see elsewhere.We have a large Sports hall and a weight room as well as two treatment rooms.
MH is very stimulating!!!!

[rjohnpaul]

I am a senior 1 physio in MH and find this a very stimulating speciality. I have been working in this field for over 2 years and would like to continue so.

[oscar]

I'm a final year physio student and did a 6 week placement in a psychiatric hospital...I found the placement very stimulating too and nothing like I expected, it certainly challenged me in more ways than I thought it could and opened my eyes up to this field of physio People said to me that i would learn a lot of non-physio skills and that was certainly true!

[emmaphysio]

Im going for an interview for a junior job in mental health tomorrow and have been trying to get some background reading done. What ive read really interests me and although its not a common student placement, I would really like to get into this field. So fingers crossed for tomorrow!

[oscar]

Since my earlier post I'm now a junior physio, currently on rotation in mental health. I'm really enjoying it so far...and am glad I had the opportunity as a student to work in the area, it's a really interesting field to be in!

Good luck in your interview emma!