Caring for others starts with ourselves: NHS staff share their own mental health tips during Mental Health Awareness Week
NSFT colleagues Carla-Marie Binns, Jennifer Hartman, and Somayya Kajee (L-R) have shared how they care for their mental health.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May), staff from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) are sharing how they look after their own mental wellbeing while supporting others.
This year's theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is community, something that is deeply valued by those working in mental health services.
For senior learning disability nurse Jennifer Hartman, from East Harling in Breckland, joining NSFT was about creating change and advocating for people who might not feel able to speak up themselves .
Based in Suffolk, her role involves supporting children with learning disabilities and their families to live independently while maintaining their mental and physical health needs. Jenny says pacing herself, using visual schedules, and surrounding herself with people who get it helps her manage.
Jenny says struggling with your mental health doesn't mean you are 'weak' or 'incapable'.
"The truth is, asking for help and navigating those challenges takes immense strength," she said.
"You don't have to push through to prove anything. Rest is productive. Speak kindly to yourself and reach out, there are people who care and want to help. We are here for you and truly hear you.
"I believe everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported, especially our families and young people whose voices are often unheard."
Dr Somayya Kajee, consultant perinatal psychiatrist and NSFT's director of medical education, has dedicated more than two decades to the Trust. She works at a specialist unit in Norwich supporting women during and after pregnancy as well as mentoring junior doctors and supporting female colleagues to develop into leadership roles.
"Women's mental health is a deep-rooted passion of mine," she said. "Supporting new mothers during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives is incredibly rewarding, especially witnessing their recovery and the strengthening of the bond with their babies."
She says working with infants brings a "unique sense of calm and perspective":
"It's a constant reminder of resilience and hope. I try to maintain a healthy work-life balance, spend quality time with family, and practise mindfulness where I can.
"Connection, self-care, and small daily actions can make a huge difference. Look after your wellbeing, set boundaries, and don't hesitate to seek support when you need it."
Carla-Marie Binns, a community clinical support worker in central Norfolk, has worked at NSFT for three years. She helps adults regain control of their lives through one-on-one support.
She said: "The best part of my job is building meaningful relationships and seeing how far someone has come in their mental health recovery.
"Mental health is just as important as physical health. I try to keep a good work-life balance, make time for exercise and hobbies, and talk openly with friends or colleagues when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Even small daily routines help me stay grounded."
Carla-Marie, who lives in Norwich, encourages others to speak up: "Don't suffer in silence - talk to someone. Whether it's a friend, a support line, or a professional, reaching out can make a huge difference."
To support others in managing their wellbeing, NSFT has launched a new series of free self-help guides. Covering topics like low mood, bereavement, domestic abuse and sleep, the guides offer practical advice for daily mental health support.
These are available to read or download at: https://selfhelp.cntw.nhs.uk/organisation/norfolk-and-suffolk-nhs-foundation-trust
Harprit Hockley, director of culture and organisational development at NSFT, said: "This Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to champion the importance of caring for our mental health both in and out of the workplace.
"We know that being part of a safe and positive community can be vital for mental wellbeing, allowing us to create meaningful connections, support one another, and give us a true sense of purpose.
"As an organisation, we are strengthening our community to improve the culture across our Trust. This will allow us to create a more productive, engaged and fulfilled workforce to better support our service users. Together, we can support each other's mental health."
Photos: Mental Health Awareness Week photos PR.zip [zip] 5MB