The 20 Commandments Of Mental               Health Professionals

  1:  Thou shalt respect your client and not judge

  2:  Thou shalt increase the well-being, opportunities and happiness of your client

 3:   Thou shalt be in time for appointments and phone calls. It will show your clients that they matter

4:    Thou shalt have a well-chosen and well-timed sense of humour

5:    Thou shalt reconsider your ‘professional distance’ if it makes your client feel he stands alone; show that you are a person too

6:    Thou shalt not let your bad mood or personal issues influence your professional attitude

   7: Thou shalt have an open conversation if your client is suicidal and give good support and        protection if necessary

   8: Thou shalt not hide behind a newspaper on the ward or make any other unapproachable        impression otherwise

  9:  Thou shalt not hide and chat in the nurses’ offices but be with your clients as much as  possible to         create a safe and friendly environment

10:    Thou shalt consider family and good friends of your clients as team players (unless it’s            impossible) and support them well in the interests of your client

  11:  Thou shalt inspire and support your colleagues to make mental healthcare as good and        friendly as possible and ask and give feedback on a regular basis to become a ‘winning  team’

  12:  Thou shalt inform your clients well about side effects of medication, observe well and  help to find solutions if needed

   13: Thou shalt not avoid the subject ‘sexual side effects of medication’

   14: Thou shalt help your client to get good dental and physical care and support them on          doctor and dentist visits if needed

  15 : Thou shalt help and support your client to exercise on a regular basis to increase their             health

   16: Thou shalt support your client to overcome financial or housing problems and fight          bureaucracy

  17:  Thou shalt listen well to the client’s aspirations for their life and give support to achieve          them

  18:  Thou shalt stand up for the rights of your client

   19: Thou shalt fight the stigma of mental illness on every opportunity

   20: Thou shalt help your client to keep up hope