Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) is proud to celebrate Mental Health Nurses Day (21 February) and as part of the celebrations are recognising one of it’s nurses becoming a published author.
‘Thriving in Mental Health Nursing’ is the debut book by CWP Lead Mental Health Practitioner Laura Duncan. The book offers an insightful and holistic guide for mental health professionals at all stages of their careers.
Drawing from her extensive experience including complex mental health, perinatal care, and acute mental health services - Laura provides a 360-degree perspective on what it means to be a mental health nurse today. Whilst most mental health nursing books focus on clinical skills and patient conditions, this book adopts a holistic approach to the profession by covering topics like managing personal trauma when providing trauma-focused care, understanding wellbeing, and maintaining hope.
Laura’s journey into mental health nursing began with her background in drama, where she led workshops for a wide range of people including children with special educational needs, people with lived experience of mental health, and women’s groups. Her passion for mental health grew during her time as an arts therapy support worker on a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, leading her to pursue a career in mental health nursing. She has since worked across a wide range of settings, including academia and is currently supporting patients at GP surgeries with mental health support.
Reflecting on her career, Laura highlights how rewarding mental health nursing can be. “One of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is seeing the real impact early interventions can have. I recently worked with a gentleman in his mid-60s who was struggling with severe low mood. By our third appointment, he was brighter, reconnecting with friends, and visibly improving both mentally and physically. Moments like these remind me why I do this work.”
However, Laura also acknowledges the challenges within the field. She speaks about her own experience during the pandemic and emphasises the importance of self-care and seeking support. “As mental health nurses, we often feel like we’re the ones who provide support and don’t need it ourselves. But if we’re struggling, we can’t help others. We need to talk, escalate concerns, and ensure leaders listen to the needs of staff.”
She encourages those considering a career in mental health nursing to “Go for it!”. “There are so many opportunities, whether in clinical practice, charity work, or academia. It’s tough, but it’s rewarding. If you care about people, this is the place for you.”
Find out more about career opportunities at CWP: Latest vacancies :: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
