Republic of the Philippines

SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY

ACCESS, EJC Montilla, Tacurong City

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

DAY 2

LEARNING LOG/REFLECTION
Name: Rhea Rose L. Gacho Date:04-27-24
Area of exposure: Psychiatric Duty Section: BSN3-C

Mental health problems are a growing concern in the Philippines. The stigma
associated with mental illness continues to be a major obstacle to receiving treatment
in the Philippines, where many people choose to blame ill fate or demonic spirits for
their problems rather than consulting a professional. The Philippines still has unequal
and restricted access to mental health care.

On our last day of duty, we arrived at the same time at 7:00 a.m. It was a
meaningful and life-changing experience. The exposure on our duty was not enough
since it was only 2 days, but still, we have acquired a lot of knowledge even with our
limited time. I learned the value of empathy, attentive listening, and the effectiveness
of therapeutic approaches. In order to fully understand all aspects of psychiatric
practice, it is helpful to take some time to reflect on the previous lessons that we have
discussed. We also witnessed two patients with different mood disorders: one who
was very angry and the other who was very happy. I noticed that the majority of all the
patients are from Maguindanao; some of them are rich, but they choose to seek help
at the cheapest clinic in Mindanao.

In addition,I am also happy to see patients who are willing to help themselves
recover from their illness. I also experienced preparing the medication for the patient.
The patients were dealing with a variety of mental health issues, such as
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. I quickly learned that nursing in
psychiatry involved assisting people in controlling their feelings, actions, and mental
processes. A few patients had doubts about taking their medications, while others
showed difficulty participating in therapy sessions. I observed in Dr. Farhat that the
way to get beyond this challenge was to approach patients cautiously and gently in
order to establish trust. It was immensely satisfying to watch a patient make
improvements. It was incredibly motivating to see personally how receiving the proper
treatment and support might significantly improve a patient's attitude. More than any
other nursing experience I had, I felt incredibly privileged to be part of a patient's
journey toward mental wellbeing.

All in all, I had a good and challenging experience working in a mental clinic as
a nursing student. It gave me a distinct viewpoint on the field and encouraged me to
acquire abilities that are essential in the field of nursing. Although working at a
psychiatric clinic demands a great deal of patience, empathy, and compassion, the
benefits are priceless. I have gained a deeper understanding of the wide range of
mental health issues, and I am more inspired than ever to find a career in nursing.