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"Dark Days - Bright Future"

About: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust / Adult mental health (inpatient)

(as a service user),

Since the late 1960s, when I was still a teenager, I have suffered from Mental Health problems. The nature of my illness known then as ‘Obsessional Neurosis’ (now OCD) including eating disorder ‘Anorexia Nervosa’ and severe depression.

During the 1970s I was hospitalised on three occasions for several months each time, finally being discharged in the spring of 1982. Following my discharge (after becoming institutionalised) as an in-patient as it was then known as Mapperley Hospital I received no follow-up whatsoever.

Living alone in the ‘real’ world I felt very vulnerable and I didn’t ever go out except to work and shop for food. Recently, in May this year (30/40 years later) I stumbled ‘by accident’ across the ‘Involvement Centre’ at ‘Duncan Macmillan House’. Since then and attending regularly I have never looked back. Everyone there, the staff, service users, carers and volunteers are all so positive, warm and caring as well as fun loving and I find this so therapeutic.

It makes me wonder how I managed to survive the last 30-40 years.

The Involvement Centre at Duncan Macmillan House is simply wonderful!

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jane Danforth, Involvement & Experience Officer, Involvement, Experience and Volunteering Team, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 14 years ago
Jane Danforth
Involvement & Experience Officer, Involvement, Experience and Volunteering Team,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Working in partnership with Care Opinion to gather feedback, meaning we find out what we do well and how you think we should improve. We really do want to hear from you and we reply to every story.

Submitted on 08/09/2010 at 11:07
Published on Care Opinion at 01:00


picture of Jane Danforth

Thank you so much for sharing your story of hope on Patient Opinion.

I will pass on your comments to the people you have mentioned. I am sure they will be delighted to hear that the centre is having such a positive impact on your recovery. I wish you every success in your journey and appreciate you taking the time to tell others about how Involvement is changing your life.

Best Wishes

Jane Danforth - Involvement Officer

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