"High levels of care from ICS Leeds"

After a difficult admission to a mental health unit where I was a patient for 8 weeks I was discharged to St Mary's House ICS team for home based treatment. The care I received from those involved in my care and those based at the unit was typified by kindness and compassion. Having a Mental Health problem brings so much confusion, hopelessness and fear yet I was offered person centred care which was consistent, helpful and challenging in a healthy way.

I was fortunate to have a team who I could learn to trust and who helped me believe that I could get better. The team involved in my care took time to listen to my concerns and distress, provided therapeutic support and provided a safe place to explore some of the causes of my illness. I was offered options in my treatment which included attending some groups, using the art room facilities with an art therapy student, attending the unit or home based treatment.

It has been a journey through hell and I am not there yet. I was fortunate to receive such a high levels of care and commend all the staff from reception staff, admin staff through to clinical staff for offering kindness in the midst of great personal turmoil and distress. The only negative I would hi-light is the reality that once more stable you are moved to a different team. When in distress a consistent approach to care is really important to help a patient begin to recover.

Saying that the handover to the Community Mental Health Team has been as good as possible.