Staying in a mental health facility

[Guest_1643]

Hi....

I recently attending a public mental health facility......It helped me and I'm glad I did it. The people in the facility (the other participants) were pretty lovely and supportive, and it felt great to not have to explain a million times what I was going through. People didn't probe too much, just accepted that if you were in the facility, you were struggling in some way, and it was enough for them. I realised how frustrating it is to have to explain mental health conditions to people who just don't get it. Here, everyone got it.

Has anyone else stayed in public or private mental health facilitys? Either in wards, recovery facilities, short or long term? Would you recommend it to others who needed help?

I've heard some horror stories, and I believe them. But I think it's good to mention that some of these services are also excellent. It's a mixed bag.

Curious to here anyone else's experiences

[Guest_1643]

that's exactly how i felt - to become "one of those sort of people."
I did not stay on the ward but in a recovery centre, people were screened to get in, and had to be quite well. Sort of. Some people were recovering from suicide attempts, or drug addicitons etc. So the conditions were better...

I made some friends there, although it is hard to keep in contact, sometimes their issues have an impact on me and they are aat different stages in recovery. One woman from the hopsital I think lives near me..... so weird bumping into other residents in the real world.

The retreat element you mentioned cannot be underrated. it is a healing space.