"My stay in Adult Mental Health Unit"

Recently.

I was detained because of my mental health issues.

I had not been sleeping for months.

I was greatly relived to be admitted. As being alone at home and not being able to work in my usual occupation was distressing for me. I as scared at home. Hearing voices and seeing things, hallucinations.

What was good:

Feeling safer. Trusting medical team. Saw them regularly. They listened to me and I felt in safe hands.

Taking my medications, able to sleep again.

Regular meals and refreshments. Diet was ample.

Patient care assistants I saw were particularly kind , served meals and drinks. 

Kept the rooms and wards very clean. I had my own room with ensuite facilities. Having access to washing machine and dryer, felt good with clean clothes daily.

Nursing staff I saw introduced themselves as did OT and therapy staff. Nursing staff always checking in on me and bringing my medications. Working with me as day tranquillisers were knocking me out, drowsy all day.

Daily meet and greet, puzzles. In day room with other patients.  There were daily walks around hospital, not for me, however many patients found this helpful. I would have enjoyed going off campus to go to beach or park more to my liking.

It was sad to see so many distressed patients. I did not fear them in anyway. It comforted me to see that I was not the only one feeling agitated and in emotional turmoil.

Listening to music and relaxing in IKEA chairs, was the best. However only 30 minutes per day. Sometimes it was cancelled due to lack of staff.

The day room as good as I could read a book again. I had company. The garden was of great benefit, but, I felt, too small for 23 people. I would have liked to care for the garden, this was not allowed.

What was not so good:

I felt having to ask for a cup of tea out with daily meal timetable was humiliating. 

The staff kept themselves in a locked glass room like a fishbowl. Sometimes the staff would just look through me, seemingly ignoring me. I think someone should be posted at reception to talk with us without having to bang on windows to get someone’s attention.

The unit was grey. Desperately needing some art work on walls I think. The carpet was black/ brown, depressing in my opinion. The day room chairs were like geriatric chairs for elderly. Plastic, no colour co ordination. I noticed the windows were dirty. I did offer to clean them, as I like cleaning, but not allowed. No plants.

Bed linen was clean but dismally boring.as were the bedrooms. Would have been better with some art on walls. I would have like to have my own bed linen. There were a shortage of soft chairs as I did not have one in my bedroom.

Staff flashing a torch on me during the night scared me. Using paper cups and utensils seemed wasteful to me. Would have liked to have my own mug. My discharge plan was discussed regularly with me.

I knew it was time to go home when I stared caring for another patient who was disabled. They used a walking frame. They had to ask another person to help them get their meals etc. I started doing things for them like getting their meals from service hatch . I think a nurse should have been on hand at each meal time to help them.

My stay was positive one, I had day visits out with friends and family. I got home. I had a good discharge plan in place. 

I do not see myself working again in previous occupation.

I am now being cared for by my GP and Older adult mental health team .

I am happy to help the unit in anyway I can.

Thank you.