"Lack of kindness at Prospect Park"

I was taken to Prospect Park after suffering from PTSD at home. The staff sat outside the suite and did not engage. I was made to feel like I had done something wrong.

There was no reassurance. Luckily the police officers who were with me were very supportive, having spent time with me and being ex forces as well.

The worst part is I also work in mental health and have never experienced this before. The fear you already have and nurses starring at you like you're a monster made the process worse.

Only after being seen by the doctors and on my way out did the communication of support start from the nurse that took me round to the exit and I still felt I had to apologise for being unwell. I feel saddened that at anytime someone can have a crisis and are made to feel even worse by staff whom are supposed to be caring and supportive.

It is very true if you have a physical ailment the care providers are usually warming towards you, supportive and reassuring. However, when we talk of mental health you are often made to feel you are a problem or a monster, and a burden to resources.

I can only hope that it never happens again, as I certainly would not want that treatment and I now have empathy for anyone else who has had to go through it.

If anything the nursing staff at Prospect Park could learn is, compassion, reassurance and kindness goes a long way. We are all someone's family member and we matter to them even if not to you. We do not chose to be unwell at times, one day it could be your family member n that very situation and would you wish for them to be treated this way.