Dr Nghi Bui

What's the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding aspect of my work is helping children and families live fulfilling and meaningful lives, even in the face of complex health and mental health challenges. I strive to support young people in seeing themselves as more than their diagnosis, while building the confidence, resilience, and skills needed to pursue what matters most to them. Whether it's returning to school, strengthening friendships, improving family relationships, engaging in valued activities, or achieving personal goals, it is a privilege to be part of their journey.

And the hardest part?

A challenge within many health settings is managing the impact of limited resources and staffing shortages while striving to provide the highest quality care. At times, the efforts of clinicians may not always be fully visible or appreciated by others. However, these challenges also highlight the importance of teamwork, advocacy, and maintaining a strong focus on patient wellbeing.

What does a typical day look like?

My morning routine looks like cuddling my dog, doing skincare and getting ready, eating brekkie and a smoothie, and then driving to work usually with a podcast on. My typical day can look quite different depending on the day — from seeing patients, supervising students or new grads, attending multidisciplinary meetings, liaising with schools and other agencies, research or attending professional development training. What I like most is finishing off the day with a dance class, going to the gym or walking my dog.

How has growing up changed for young people?

I think the landscape of growing up has changed significantly for young people, and many of the factors influencing mental health today are quite different from those experienced 20 or so years ago. One of the biggest shifts has been the rapid rise of technology and social media, which has ultimately changed how young people connect with others, form their identities, and perceive themselves and the world around them. While these advances bring many opportunities, they can also contribute to challenges such as loneliness, anxiety, social comparison, and difficulties with emotional regulation.

At the same time, I appreciate that there is now much greater awareness of mental health, and that conversations around wellbeing have become more open and accepted. This has helped reduce stigma and encouraged more young people to seek support when they need it. However, I also think it's important that we continue to develop a nuanced understanding of mental health. Terms related to mental illness are sometimes used quite broadly, and there can be a tendency to overlook the complexity of individual experiences. Moving forward, I hope we can continue to promote mental health literacy in a way that balances awareness with a deeper understanding of what mental health and mental illness actually mean.