"Positive Experience - Initial Assessment"

I had an initial assessment today with Samantha at Rushcliffe Community Mental Health Team and I have to share the positive experience because it’s beyond anything I’ve ever experienced in years of being a service user of mental health support across multiple areas of the country. 

Samantha was firstly on time and greeted me with such a friendly and relaxed attitude which sets an amazing tone for someone who is nervous and desperate for help. I know we can all run late but there is nothing worse than having an appointment with someone who is late and turns up flustered because I mirror that feeling. 

During the assessment Sam clearly shown her understanding of mental health as a whole, the services offered within the whole of mental health services not just the community team and most importantly was able to not only understand how I felt but also explain the minds way of working in such a simple but informative way that I felt a relief I’ve never felt before. It felt like she was able to climb into my head see what was going on for me, break it down and explain why all of that was happening and making me feel how I do. 

I’m honestly lost for words with how amazing that assessment was. I got in my car, had a cry and then sat there for 15 minutes just smiling because I felt like for once one person understood how I felt and knew what I needed to help me get to a better place. 

Not one mental health practitioner has ever made me feel so understood, not alone and comforted in 15 years of accessing mental health services, until today. 

I just want to thank Sam for being so amazing and making me feel how I do now. I feel safe and that is such a huge feeling for someone who hasn’t their whole life.