"Thanks to all those who have helped with my treatment."

Before coming onto this ward I was self-harming a lot where it got to the point I had caused severe injuries and the ambulance had to be called. When I arrived I came in though ED I was seen around 2 hours after being admitted to the hospital by one of the doctors. I was in a very bad place mentally and was waiting alone in ED. I hadn’t eaten in a very long time however staff members offered me food while waiting. One thing that I remember while being in there was that I was very thirsty and they’re was no water in the waiting area it stayed that way for at least the duration of my stay in the waiting area so it would be helpful if this was improved upon.

Eventually when I got treated for my wound I told the doctors and nurses of how I was struggling very badly with depression. I eventually got admitted into Bluestone Unit. It was night time when I got allocated to my bed in the ward. This was the longest I hadn’t slept in my life so I was very glad to be brought into a room and the bed was very comfortable which helped. I was have a history with drugs and self-harm the consultant made it a safe place to discuss all these thing and she had a kindness to her which made it easier to inform her of all this. The consultant is very good as I felt very comfortable around her and I could speak to her about things that made me uneasy. I feel that she had empathy and compassion for me which was why I felt very comfortable on this ward. I feel very well supported by the HSCNI (Health & Social Care Northern Ireland) as a whole but specifically by the staff here in the Bluestone Unit because they have been helping me so much.

My mother suffers from schizophrenia for the duration of my life and my father suffers from depression. I have told the doctors this and that I was struggling for a very long time, they were very understanding of my situation and felt as if they were putting my needs first and looking out for the best for me. I feel that my life has changed drastically in a positive way from coming in here and from speaking with other patients even though we may not agree on most things but what we all agreed on was how great the staff have treated us. Would like to thank all those who have helped me so far with my treatment I have so much respect towards you!