Question: what inspired you to treating mentally disordered offenders

John Atkinson answered on 18 Jun 2018:

Hi Jolene,
I started off working in prison and my boss left to work in a hospital. After a few months she asked me to come and do some training for staff at the hospital. They then offered me a job and the rest is history! Looking back, I am very glad I got the opportunity, as I prefer working in hospital due to the variety of things to do and the fact I get more chance now to help people with mental disorders. I feel I can also relate to some of these people as I experienced mental health difficulties in my early 20s so that has really helped me to understand. Thankfully mine only lasted for a couple of years.
Thanks for your question.