"York A&E mental health care - serious concerns"

I'm 24 years old, and diagnosed with an affective disorder (Bipolar), I have also due to a traumatic incident last November/December been suffering with alcohol misuse issues. Clearly my mental health issues and alcohol don't mix and I'm trying hard to address it. I've now decided I'll need to seek help outside of the NHS and when I'm not feeling well just stay away from York Hospital at all costs, it really has caused me a lot of distress, pain, and suffering over the past months.

I've presented numerous times with mental health issues, overdoses, and intoxication/mixed drug overdose problems. Some, (not all, some of them are very nice) of the nurses treat me with utter disdain, shout at me in front of other people for no reason, and collude with each other to humiliate me (for example, talking loudly about me in a disrespectful manner so everyone can hear).

I have also been physically and verbally assaulted by security at the hospital. I was dragged out of my cubicle, half asleep and with a cannula still in place in my arm and marched outside by 2 men, one on each arm. In my view they used excessive force when they did this.  

When I asked why I was suddenly being made to leave (without even having had an assessment at this point) I was told to shut up because I was being manipulative, and then repeatedly sworn at. I left the hospital in floods of tears after being escorted by the same 2 men back on site so I could get a taxi home. One of the men forced me to show him calls I had made on my phone because he didn't believe I had actually called a taxi. I removed the cannula at home on my own and disposed of it in my Dads sharp box (he has an autoimmune disorder that requires him to self inject). Still, I was extremely distressed at this event and feel traumatised just thinking about going back there.

The crisis team are very sporadic in my view. They either turn up quickly or don't turn up for 8 hours. They can sometimes consist of one mental health nurse and other times it is a doctor and a nurse. The last mental health assessment I had was a young doctor and a nurse, the doctor seemed ok, although he didn't speak or ask any questions apart from if I had a key worker. The nurse left the room after the assessment to "have a conversation" with her colleague and for some unknown reason I was then told to leave A&E by a general nurse who had apparently been informed by the mental health nurse that I was refusing to leave the hospital! Bear in mind I was sat calmly waiting for her to return after her chat with the doctor.

All in all I think mental health care needs a serious overturn, as do a lot of professionals attitudes in regards to dealing with people with complex issues and/or addiction problems. As you can probably tell I'm an educated person and have a lot to give in life, but I can't keep dealing with abuse and ignorant mentalities from people who should be there to support you and signpost you to help, it really doesn't help me feel that I am not worthless and a burden. I have now contacted a private therapy centre and counsellor who will visit me at my home.