"Treated me with respect"

I was admitted for the 4th time (detained under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act 1983) to (Holt Ward) Elgar Unit this year for assessment period up to 28 days and then an extension of my stay there for further observations.

After I lost my case on the tribunal I wasn't pleased. I was dissatisfied and very disappointed of the outcome of the tribunal case because they put me on Section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 for the purpose of further treatment in hospital, then discharged me on the basis of Community Treatment Order (CTO). I felt this was unnecessary as I cooperated with Neighbourhood Mental Health for many years.

I also pleaded with my consultant psychiatrist  to get me off the Depo/Injection because of the side effects it had upon my health. They gave me trial period of 18 months but as a consequence of not taking my medication as prescribed by them I had relapsed according to the consultant psychiatrist, and had been warned of this prior to being detained in hospital. I do understand the need of CTO just in case I refuse to have my medication regularly at the clinic where I will be possibly recalled to hospital, this I don't want that to happen.

During my time at Holt Ward the NHS Staff seemed a bit apprehensive to begin with as they were imposing restrictions on me with my belongings or provisions i.e. trouser belt, phone charger, shoe laces, carrier bags, tobacco, foods i.e. chocolates that contains NUTS etc as they thought I was risk of suicidal thoughts or health injury. My broad understanding at that time was that they take this very seriously so as to protect themselves and most importantly the mental health patient.

Eventually they got to know me very well and they felt more at ease and so did I. It was a huge sense of relief for me where they could treat me in a civilised manner i.e. more of in a humane way, more like a normal human being. I participated in ward activities i.e. quizzes,  gardening, art/crafts, dog therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy etc and 121 meetings and interactions with other patients and various NHS Staff in wards for their observational purpose.

My main man Monty Dom (Dominic) and his partner in crime Don Stefano (Stephen) were a huge inspiration to me to keep me lively/happy. They treated me with respect, and did not look down on me as if I  was an illegal alien. The majority of 33 NHS Staff in Holt Ward were exceptional but just a few were grumpy and miserable (cheer up, life's too short to be sad).

Ask me what I went through over the years and the 4th admittance in hospital I could have drowned my sorrows with alcohol or drugs but I never did although it left me angry. But now my temper has gone. Now I'm happy I'm back in the community i.e. civil society, rehabilitated and more civilised and happy. I can't go wrong now, a journey to other realms and beyond infinity, that's all folks.