Mental wellness Needs met.

@simplephysiological 

People's perceptions of mental health illnesses.

Once apon time, the conception of a person with mental health problems, was someone in a straight jacket and a sliver bowl over there head getting electronic shocks as treatment. 

Centuries ago, being gay was considered a Mental Health condition and, anyone who came out as gay, was issued for treatment.

Fast forward centuries and what perceptions of Mental Health have changed? 

After spending some time in a, 'Mental Health Hospital' I could see and felt very little had changed around the stigma. Nor the treatment. Okay so, some treatments need medication and some people what that kind of resolution. However, while in the hospital I come to realise, Mental Health patients are treated all the same and so are the methods of treatment.

I also saw that some people including myself, needed Mental wellness, not medication.

I needed a clean space, it is Okay living in your own shit. However, when you have to live in yours and everyone else, it becomes an issue of concern, about the management of the provision and their understanding and procedures. The cleanliness, of shared areas should not be something you have to ask for. That should be the standard.

When your living in an in closed environment, where you feel you have no control, for some, controlling the cleanliness of their space is promounting. However, that does not mean they are Mentally unwell. 

My experience of this hospital and meal times, was an experience. When you are in effect locked up for 24hrs a day under the Mental Health Act, every day can become the same. Mealtimes become something to look forward to. My experience was joyous and disappointing. 

Why? Because, as much as I asked and, as much as I explained my dietary requirements, I still managed to eat curry, everyday for most of 20 meals out of 24. Yeah it was nice. However, became boring also. I did ask for a list to choose from,like they do in every other hospital. I requested, brown bread instead of white, Oat milk instead of cows milk. But, those needs still have not been met. Today is, day 12. 

For any mental health condition, being heard about the little things, surly is the start of any form of treatment? And does that not start with the little things?

Another, problem area is the clarification about who actually works on the ward. Not only as a, 'Data Protection' safeguarding protocol. But, as another form of assisting your safe recovery and mental well-being. These should be consider (Big) little things, that make people feel secure and safe enough to want to engage. There are people on wards that are people having medication treatment, people how are not meant to be on the ward, could exploit the environment.

The 1/2 hourly checks, I get it, but if your not meant to be here, then you are essentially, been given free range to walk around an environment where there are people. For me, this cause some anxiety. The point was raised with the, Nurse in charge' who assured me the person worked there and, everyone knew them. The problem being is when you are questioning their role also. But, who do you tell?

Again, raising the point of most people, thinking that all mental illnesses are the same,  some people my be in here instead of prison. The argument then is, should they get the wellness or, do they need the treatment? Or should there be a provision designed for prisoner with Mental Health conditions? Because let's face it, someone with burnout,  anxiety, paranoia, to name a few, my not require the same types of environmental conditions as someone who has committed a crime. I dye gress.

The fact that, I needed to know, what the ward etiquettes were and, fire safety evacuation procedures where, that would have been good for my mental health. Knowing that had there been a fire, how I would exit via a locked door. Had the staff not been able to get to the area. And, still unsure.

My experience seemed more psychologically draining, than psychologically wellness. I felt I was experiencing the same types of experiences. Some may say that is why you are in there!

If I was to look at,'Maslows Hiechecy', of neeeds against my experience, I would say, those needs had not been met. The Quality Care Commission reported that these services are ment to be therapeutic, I can confirm, they are anything but.

Speaks of civil society Reporter

Mental health wellness matters

References

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06988/

https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/fundamental-standards