"Depression and the Sandwell Crisis team"

I attempted suicide in March this year due to depression. After I had left hospital I was referred to the Sandwell Crisis team. They have saved my life.

After leaving the hospital I was deeply disappointed that my attempt had failed, I felt useless and unworthy, I was a broken individual that was hiding behind a mask. My intention was to not fail next time. I was referred to the Sandwell Crisis team. At the first meeting I was impressed that they seemed to actually "care", they didn't seem to be just going through the motions but I was still sceptical. I agreed a care plan with them and expected that to be it, that now they had done this I wouldn't really see or hear from them again.

The team visited me everyday to talk to me and see that I was ok. I saw a fantastic Doctor that took a genuine interest in my case and wanted me to get better. I saw the team physchologist who was straight talking, truthful and very good at her job. The support worker assigned to me is one of the nicest, caring person I have ever met. Every single person I met made me feel cared about. I have never in my life felt that "strangers" could care about your wellbeing but there has not been one member of the team that has failed to impress me.

Over the time that I was under their care they have worked hard with me to give me the tools to cope with my depression and I have worked hard to use those tools. Not just for myself but because I wanted to show these wonderful, caring people that I wanted to get better, because of this I am now able to carry on, while I am not fully recovered I can now cope with the bad days.

I would like to thank the whole team for their care and diligence and while I hope that no one will be in the position that I was in, if they are, then I hope that they are lucky enough to be in the care of professional people like the Sandwell Crisis team.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.