mental healthWhat type of job are you looking for? working with people who are distressed through mental ill health. i am trained peer advocate hand have worked for and with mental illness for over ten years now i would like to help people towards recovery throgh experience and maybe help facilitate building a mental health service user group and or train peer advocates to help other mental ill health sufferers What nationality are you? northern irish What languages do you speak (and at what level)? english only but willing to learn others What country or area are you looking to work in and why? in and around mostar i have knowledge of some of the issues there and have been a few times to stay What countries have you worked in? ireland north and south england What countries do you have a visa to work in? none at moment have not applied yet for any What field do you currently work in? mental health What fields have you worked in before? community development volunteering support groups community services for mental health mental health hospitals What qualifications do you hold? gcse olevel degree ba dip ed womens studies trained peer advocate trainor---facilitator to mental health groups---people various other mental health qualifications Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? skills and life experience i was mature student when i got my qualifications and i feel that i brought more to any formal training i did because of my life experience and the skills i had developed Describe the benefits of working with others its satisfying to see a person develope into the best they can be overcoming hugh challenges and learning new life skills to empower themselves in thier recovery from mental illness. i get a lot of satisfaction from working and helping others to help themselves...also if u are in a team u can ask for support and for their opinion on a particular case ...u xcan discuss actions or options with team members Describe the benefits of working alone u can make ur own decisions about ur working day and how best to use ur time u learn to rely on ur own judgement and can get work done quicker if no one is looking over ur shoulder constantly What was your worst working experience? working in team of nurses. doctors social workers as a peer advocate they did not like lay person working with them or being anwserable to me What is the most important lesson you have learnt throughout your career? to believe in my skills and judgement but to know when to ask for help and support from collegues What unique skills do you have? have used my experience in mental help and my recovery to help other people in similar positions..i have empathy, compassion, truthfulness and am trustworthy. can work on my own intitative What would you consider as your 'dream job'? to work in mostar or nearby villages with refugees survivors of truama from the war here in bosnia herzegovina What are the most interesting aspects of your field? hearing peoples journeys and how they got to become unwell,,,,then watching them recover and become independant and empowerd What are the least interesting aspects of your field? when the systems fail them and they give up hope what kinds of things would u like to do start a service user group,,train peer advocates ...train medical staff to use more service user friendly methods and not just medication to help recovery...build a crisis house where people can seek refuge until they are well How can potential employers contact you? through email medgehead133@yahoo.co.uk | 
