"my stay at Carsview Hospital, Dundee and beyond"

Although my stay in Carseview started in April 2014 I am still under the care of the mental health team at Dundee East Alloway Centre and as there has been so much in the papers and on television lately about Carseview I want to write and tell of my experience.

A failed suicide attempt lead to my admission and from the very start no blame, no feeling of pressure or guilt was ever layed at my door.  All I ever received was understanding, comfort and the chance to talk.

In my 9 weeks stay I witnessed two occasions where staff came under attack from patients and this was upsetting to see by other patients but both times this was dealt with professionally and as quickly as possible.  No undue force was used and on both occasions we all felt sorry for the staff involved.

On arrival you were assigned a named nurse who you got to know well but you were also able to speak to any other staff member if they were off duty.  This helped with continuity and I felt it helped knowing there was always someone there for you to talk to.

As is the case anywhere, you always tend to bond with some staff better than others (just like I felt better in the company of some patients than  others) but I never got the impression of being a nuisance.

until you are in the position of needing help and being in somewhere like Carsview you can only imagine what it must be like.  Films, TV and  books all have their different slant on how these hospitals are.  I can honestly say that if I ever needed to go back there I would have no dread of that fact. 

I have since release needed the services of the Crisis Team and I again have found them professional and caring.

I have always been brought up with the thought that there is 2 sides to every story and sometimes the way you treat people is reflected in the way people treat you.

No place and no one is perfect  and no one is ever going to be happy all of the time but for me I can honestly say that the staff of Carsview Hospital, Dundee and the psychological help I have had since has saved my life.