"Thanks for keeping me safe"

I was unwell with a psychotic episode and wary of going into hospital.  The only hospitals I'd seen were for physical illness and the wards didn't have the privacy I felt I needed.  I'd been told that psychiatric hospitals were scary places.  

When I went to Huntlyburn I found it more like a student halls of residence.  Everyone had their own en-suite room but there was always company to be found in the dining room, craft room, courtyard or nursing station.  The other patients were friendly and helpful and mostly understanding - even though it's scary because you've never met and wonder what they might think.  

The staff were super. All so friendly and encouraging.  It might have been worth them asking why I'd suddenly refused medication so I feel that could have been explored a little more. But I maybe couldn't have explained my irrational thoughts?  When I was discharged more information might have been helpful but I got good follow-up in the community.  

Don't be scared to go in Huntlyburn if you need to.  They get you better quickly and you don't really want to leave.  The food is good and there's so much to do in the craft room and garden.  Go to positive steps and get your life back on track.  Get out on walks or go to church.  A cuppie down at the hospital or walk round the corridor.

Two years on and I'm back at work, part-time.  So glad they were all there for me when I didn't know what was real and was full of paranoid thoughts.  Thanks for keeping me safe when I was really vulnerable.  Thanks for taking the strain off when I couldn't look after myself.