"My Advocate that made a difference"

I had been in a mental ward for several weeks and was not doing so well at the ward round meetings until I met my Advocate named Dan, He helped me by discussing my rights under voluntary status and the laws of mental health, I talked with him about my history and care and how I didnt need to be in hospital any longer  and could be treated in the community. I never felt like I was being judged for my mental health and was able to talk to him openly about my current situation.

Dan helped me organise my thoughts and wrote down notes to help me structure my points and goals for what I wanted to happen in the ward round meetings, He also let me knew what rights I had as a voluntary patient such as being allowed out on my own on unescorted leave, Dan also ensured that when he was on leave during one week, That I wouldnt be without an advocate or support and passed my notes along to his colleague named Sharon who came to the meeting for that week, The notes Dan wrote helped her get up to speed quickly and she was able to help me greatly in that meeting as well.

I was so glad in that final ward round when I got discharged, I shook Dan’s hand afterwards and thanked him for his help, Im back out in the community now and I am very grateful for the advocacy support.