"My time with CNS"

1000 words simply isn’t enough to write all I want to about CNS however I’ll try.

CNS is a team I really think other mental health services could learn from. I have never been part of a mental health services in the NHS like this one.

CNS, as a team, have given me the tools to finally get my life back.

I have been with CNS for quite a long time and have finished both group therapy and nearly individual therapy. The group therapy I attended while under CNS gave me the skills I need when I really needed them most. These skills have helped me help myself and save my life. In group we did 3 modules which were ‘regulating emotions’ ‘managing impulsivity and destructive behaviours’ and managing relationships’. All three modules helped in so many different ways. I did at the start of my group session really find it difficult to attend as it was very anxiety provoking for me and I didn’t feel I was in the place to attend. However, all staff were very kind and very supportive in ensuring that I was able to attend and felt safe to do so.

Over time I began to really enjoy group and really enjoyed it being part of my week. Throughout going to group i attended my 1-1 sessions with my SCM worker where we worked on the goals I had set at the start of my treatment and goals I wanted to achieve throughout my treatment. Despite me struggling at the beginning and really not being able to see how any mental health team would help or that I even wanted the help as I was in such a bad place, I felt I was never given up on or seen as a waste of their time. I was never ever treated differently and I truly felt the team fought for me and the life I could achieve until I had the strength and determination to do so. CNS has most definitely been one of the only treatment services that I feel they have put the patient at the middle of their treatment and give the patients themselves a say in how their treatment will look and the goals they want to set.

CNS also have a duty system which has been hugely beneficial to me and I’d imagine for all patients with CNS. The duty system works like you call CNS admin and just simply ask to be put on for a duty call for that day and between the hours of 1pm - 3pm you’ll get a call from whoever is on duty that day where whatever you needed to talk about you can. I’ve found duty helpful especially when you have another week to wait for your next appointment and if you really need to talk then it’s so helpful.

Throughout CNS I’ve had 3 different SCM workers due to a few different personal circumstances however CNS certainly try their best to match patients with the best 1-1 possible and if not you are able to say for it to be reassessed by the team. I now have a really great relationship with my SCM worker who I am able to be open and feel safe to do so. The trust you have with an SCM worker in my personal opinion is a huge part of the 1-1 work and I trust my SCM worker whole heartedly which has been such a important part of my work with CNS.

I’ve always wanted to work within the mental health service however I can truthfully say that the only team I’d ever want to work for in any capacity would be the complex needs service.

I have been with many teams and inpatient teams while being within the MH services however I have never ever been with a team that truly saved my life and gave me a reason to live and fight when I felt I had none left like CNS did.