It ’ s important that we know about our own history and belonging . Furthermore , it ’ s important to educate others ... learning about my culture ... is something that has become more and more important to me ...”
It ’ s important that we know about our own history and belonging . Furthermore , it ’ s important to educate others ... learning about my culture ... is something that has become more and more important to me ...”
Enhanced Mental Health Primary Care Team in Southampton . She sees patients who are struggling with their mental health , again reducing the pressures on GPs , with patients being seen by appropriate healthcare professionals in a timely manner .
‘ My passions for the profession are around mental health , patient autonomy and independence ,’ she reflects . ‘ A specific interest of mine is certainly now primary care . I love that we are at the early stages of integrated OTs and other additional roles into this area of practice , and it is so key that we are embedded here , as our work is invaluable and much needed .’
Kosiwa ’ s specific cultural heritage is Black British ( three quarters Nigerian and one quarter Togolese ). She says : ‘ My education as an occupational therapist is important to me , as growing up it was a profession I didn ’ t know much about , as it was not well advertised .
‘ I was aware of other healthcare professionals – my mum was working as a nurse – but I feel ours is more of a profession about empowering patients and engaging them in occupations of importance to them – something I feel we should wear as a badge of pride .’
On her interest in Black History Month she adds : ‘ It ’ s important that we know about our own history and belonging . Furthermore , it ’ s important to educate others . I can admit that as a child growing up , I wasn ’ t that interested in learning about my culture , which saddens me . However , this is something that has become more and more important to me and something that I now want to pass onto my son , since becoming a mother last year . Especially as he is of mixed heritage .
Words KOSIWA NICHOLLS , Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner , Occupational Therapist , Enhanced Mental Health Primary Care Team
However , one particular lecturer became somebody Ebenezer could look up to . ‘ I didn ’ t care where he came from , the fact that he was Black made me realise , here is somebody I could relate to , especially concerning inequity within the system . ‘ I saw in him as somebody who gave me a flicker of hope ; if he had gone this far , I could also do the same and potentially even greater ... so , he was a beacon of hope and a glimmer of light to my journey .’
Ebenezer concludes : ‘ My mentor is an encourager . He is a man who tells you things as they are , not to scare you , but to psych you up and prepare you . I believe he is the epitome of academic success that I looked up to .
‘ I found somebody I could relate to , somebody that may have shared the same experiences as me . That was enough to keep me going . At times it was hard , and I questioned whether I was going to get my degree , whether it was good for me , whether I was in the right place at the right time .
‘ I just remembered there is this Black teacher [ who ] should be the starting point of my motivation when I felt down . I looked at him and I said to myself , if he has gone through this then there ’ s a high likelihood that I may face the same situation by virtue of our race .
‘ I said , whatever it takes I ’ m going to get that degree and after three years of occasional advice from him and input from other lecturers , here I am a qualified occupational therapist .’
For a full personal account of the strategies that helped Ebeneezer to fulfil his occupational potential visit rcot . co . uk / bhm-2023 .
Words EBENEZER BAIDEN
Ebenezer Baiden
October 2023 OTnews 23