Alpana Marwaha

After studying to become a speech and language therapist at Strathclyde University, I supported young children in community clinics for a long time. Subsequently, I took on transformation roles, leading me to become an operational manager in a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). I then secured my current role as clinical and professional lead for speech and language therapy in mental health at Leicester Partnership NHS Trust. I’m now responsible for a specialist team supporting adults with communication, eating, drinking, and swallowing needs.

People with mental health difficulties face many risks if their speech and language needs aren’t met. These include long stays in hospital, high rates of readmission, and breakdowns in communication, which can be unsafe for the patient, staff, family, and carers.

The critical role for speech and language therapists working in mental health is being able to support the patient voice in their own care. We help them to understand their care plan and voice what they’re happy or unhappy with. We also support them to communicate when they are mentally unwell. If you think about your own mental health and times where you’ve felt low, it can affect your ability to talk to people, to understand what they’re saying, and your motivation. Speech and language therapists can help with all these things.

Often, where there’s a breakdown in communication, it can lead to violence and aggression. Speech and language therapists have a pivotal role in communication breakdown. We can observe someone’s communication to understand what’s gone wrong. We can make sure that it doesn’t occur again and reduce the person’s agitation. The impact of this on someone’s journey is huge. We can change a patient’s level of motivation to talk; help them express themselves; and support them to understand what’s going on in hospital, including what people are saying to them. I’m always inspired by the difference we make as speech and language therapists in a person’s journey in accessing mental health services.

My attitude to leading a team is that I’m always learning and growing. Reflection for me is key to being a compassionate role model for others and ensuring those around me know when I’ve got something wrong and what I’m going to change. I try and hold myself to account and do what I say I’m going to do. I also try and lead by example and learn, rather than blame.

If I could give my younger self a piece of advice it would be: ‘Be more confident and speak up where you’ve experienced racism.’ I’m passionate about diversity and make this known through my actions.