Rita is a mum, qualified nurse and mental health advocate.
She is also a NCMH Research Champion, helping to spread the word about our research.
Growing up in rural Ireland in the 80s, I spent a lot of time without my mother who was hospitalised due to schizophrenia. I felt different from my peers and became very depressed during my teenage years. I went to a doctor for help.The doctor prescribed me antidepressants but ironically, never asked about mental illness in the family.
I went on to study nursing in Dublin, but I drank a lot of alcohol and became upset and aggressive on nights out with my friends. I went back to the doctor again for help but was dismissed.
Despite these difficulties, I graduated in 2007 and began working as a nurse. My mental health declined again during that first year of nursing so decided I would move to Australia to start a new life. The weather and lifestyle in Australia were amazing, and I made good money. However, I was still drinking a lot of alcohol and my reckless behaviour continued. I now realise that I was running from my problems. Found out the hard way your problems come with you no matter where you go.
Instead of seeking help, I decided to move again – this time to the Middle East working as a senior nurse for an important family. This came with even more opportunities for travel to places like Germany and Switzerland. I returned to Australia sometime later, but my mental health got worse again, I became suicidal was going to jump from a 5-storey building but I rang a helpline that got me an ambulance. I was brought to ED and admitted over night. Then discharged knowing I was on my own and from Ireland. I rang home and decided I would return home I booked my flights had to wait 5 days for a flight. I felt like life was not worth living I did not want to die just the pain to end. I took an overdose had chronic vomiting and diarrhoea all on my own. These were some of the bleakest days of my life
Receiving a diagnosis and turning a corner
My recovery began when my family helped me to access help. I had an excellent doctor who diagnosed me with schizophrenia and explained that I had been unwell for years and my breakdown was going to happen at some point in my life.. I received Clozapine for treatment-resistance schizophrenia with great effect.
I was lucky to have good friends who allowed me to stay with them until I got back on my feet as I was homeless . I found it difficult to hold down a job as a healthcare professional until occupational health deemed that I could not work as a nurse. This was followed by a relapse, hospitalisation and then a referral to the rehab and recovery team.
This referral changed my life. They got me living independently, accessed intensive counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy and an exercise programme which helped me lose weight gained by taking Clozapine. I gave up alcohol and started doing voluntary work with SeeChange in Ireland Volunteering was great for my recovery .I went back to rehabilitative college for 2 years and went straight back to healthcare employment
Since then, I’ve organised numerous fundraising events for mental and physical health causes. I was even featured in a documentary about living with schizophrenia on national television.
An onward journey
I met my partner, and we decided to have a child. We saw a perinatal psychiatrist who said that I was at risk of relapse if I became pregnant. I thought that would not happen because I’d been well for years. I was told by friends and family that I should not have a child due to having a mental illness, but my heart was determined. So, I came off Lithium whilst staying on the rest of my medication and got pregnant. It was going well until my mum died unexpectedly in February 2022. I was five months pregnant and devastated. After my son was born, I found out that my dad had terminal cancer.
My mental health declined again, and I went to hospital for six months away from my young son. I received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). When I returned home, I received help from a childminder and accessed counselling. I started volunteering work again I got extended sick leave from work to recover. I recovered a lot faster this time compared to my first episode .I had a childminder so I used to go swimming and go to the gym for my physical and mental health.
Now, I’m working with doctors in Ireland to improve the mental health services, working with a group where I am sharing my lived experience at different mental health conferences, and serving as an ambassador for a mental health charity. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the Irish Minister for Mental Health and give her recommendations. Despite separating from my partner and a few lifelong friends during my last relapse, life is good now.
Why I’m passionate about research
I’m passionate about research because it can help improve mental health services. The more research that’s done the better the mental health services will get. Aside from taking the NCMH general survey, I am continuing to work with different organisations here in Ireland on various conditions.Women with mental illness can become a mother
Tell us something people might not know about you
I was in a documentary here in Ireland about schizophrenia. There’s still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health conditions and I hope to change that. Ultimately, I want people to know that people with schizophrenia can be good parents, and I am a survivor.