The heart of mental health care
Mental Health Month is a time to celebrate the people who bring compassion, strength, and understanding to one of the most complex areas of healthcare. Riley Bugeja, Clinical Nurse Educator in the Mental Health Unit, is one of those people. He’s not just teaching clinical skills, he’s shaping how future nurses see, feel, and respond to mental health care.
Pictured: Riley Bugeja, Clinical Nurse Educator in the Mental Health Unit
Riley’s journey began with a question. As a nursing student, he noticed how mental health was often met with hesitation or fear.
“There was a lot of apprehension around the topic. I wanted to understand it for myself,” he says.
That curiosity led him to a placement in a mental health unit, where he found his purpose.
After completing his Bachelor of Nursing and a postgraduate degree in Mental Health Nursing, Riley joined the Acute Mental Health Unit at Nepean Hospital. He spent years on the frontline, supporting patients through crisis and recovery, and mentoring junior staff along the way.
“Doing my master’s was tough at times, but it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I feel that I’ve become a better clinician for it.”
“I realised education was where I could make the biggest impact. Helping others understand mental health nursing felt like the right next step.”
Now, in his educator role, Riley is a steady presence in a fast-paced environment. He delivers formal training, coaches staff on the floor, leads debriefs, and supports new nurses and students through orientation. His teaching style is grounded in empathy and adaptability, essential traits in a unit where no two days are the same.
“This role demands clinical knowledge and the soft skills to support staff in dynamic situations. Communication, empathy, adaptability, and resilience are essential,” he explains.
Recently, Riley became a first-time parent and says NBMLHD’s support for flexible working arrangements and parental leave has made a meaningful difference.
“I was surprised by the flexibility and the amount of leave available for non-birthing parents. It’s improved my work-life balance and will be even more important as I continue my journey into parenthood,” says Riley.
Riley’s story is a reminder that mental health care is powered by people, people who show up with heart, curiosity, and a commitment to making things better. This Mental Health Month, we thank Riley and all our mental health professionals for the care they provide to our community.