"Their commitment to helping me was incredible"

In Febuary 2023 I was admitted to Leverndale Hospital Ward 3A. It was my first ever phsychiactric admission as I only been in Scotland a year. I was on the ward 3 weeks.

I went in a fragile vulnerable mess and came out like a brand new person and my stay was not easy. My mam passed 2 years ago and the day I was admitted was her Birthday - honestly the scariest thing ever but you know what, it made me the person I am today. The happiest I have ever been.

Having only been open to mental health services since late 2022, I was always in resentment. I went in very unhappy and with my accomodation on the line. 3 weeks later I came out into a more semi-independent accomodation. I went from 24/7 to 12 hours on sight but only really needing 2 hours atm. My last week in Leverndale was preparing for discharge it was always scheduled pending on accomodation and we made it happen.

But it went rocky. I was with another patient when they were fragile and later that night they tried to harm themself. It left me in a state of shock 2 days before discharge. I blamed myself but the nursing staff were incredible as always their help and reassurance especially as the next day was mothers day - a difficult day anyway, but harder due to this.

Honestly Leverndale made me as a person, that incident and other small ones created who I am today. The staff on Ward 3A were phenominal honestly the fact that I had so many changes in 3 weeks no family no support just the nursing staff and honestly they made me the strong semi-independent person I am today.

They fought for a fast new appropriate accomodation, they got me on meds. I went in fragile and came out stronger. The nursing staff on Ward 3 A and health care assistants are just mind blowing. In 3 weeks having never met me before they made such a difference. They allowed me to bring stuff back from my old accommodation and store it. They supported me in every step. They changed my life. They created the fighter I am today.

It's not a bad thing getting the help. At first I was put on 72 hour detainment, which has actually happened twice, and am glad I was informal the majority of time but at times they saved my life. Their care, passion, patience and willingness, and a few of them went the extra mile for me.

People find it easy enough to make complaints but not as often easy to share compliments and in my view everyone who works on Ward 3A are there for passion and to help change people lives. I saw it. Their support all the way through was incredible. They acknowledged that some things are just about the approach and not necessarily about what it is, but how it's delivered.

Ward 3A can change lives but you need to realise how much you want it. When I showed how much I wanted it their commitment to helping me was incredible. The crisis team who admitted me saved my life that night and the follow up was amazing. Thank you for saving my life and showing me how to fight mental illness and how to cope and live a life worth living.

They won't be seeing me as a patient again, but as a visitor or passerby in the area maybe.