Share review of Community Services - Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Community Services - Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust 2022-03-01 Person 4 5 0

I was respected as an individual, I never felt that my autonomy as an individual was ever disrespected because of my 'mental health issues'. I was able to express my feelings, thoughts, concerns and needs, without ever feeling that I was in anyway misunderstood. Never once did I feel that I was the patient and the crisis team were the authority figure. I felt safe and secure like I was talking to a good friend. I actually looked forward to our meetings and was left feeling very positive about my whole interaction with the crisis team. I really could not speak more highly of my experience while I was under their care.

I wish that their had been some kind of interim of care. I felt that I needed at least the opportunity to have some step down support. I felt that their was a complete drop off of support after the crisis team discharged me, and referral to outside help and support, which takes time before you are re engaged with mental health support and it is here that I have struggled and had episodes where I have felt the signs of a relapse. After being in a mental health crisis it is a time when you are very vulnerable to breaking under streesors and it can create frightening episodes of mental instability. It would help prevent sudden relapses if their was a mediator of support between the crisis team support discharge and the time awaiting outside proffessional support. I hope that this maybe something that could be implemented for the future.