Going to the Hospital for a Mental Health Crisis

Living with a mental illness my entire life, I know the struggles one can face while trying to survive day-to-day life. And sometimes, it can become too much to handle. Anxiety can quickly spiral out of control. Depression can consume every one of your thoughts. Suicide can start to look like a real option. A very real option. And that's when you need to reach out and take care of yourself.

I went into the psychiatric unit for the first time in January 2017. My anxiety was consuming me everyday, my depression was out of control, I had next to no social skills or confidence and all I could think about was suicide. The police came at 2:30 in the morning after I spoke to a mental health crisis hotline. I attempted to talk my way out of being brought to the hospital, but they knew I needed help. They stated that I was in custody under the Mental Health Act. I was going to the hospital and I didn't have a choice.

When I got to the emergency department, I was brought straight into the psychiatric area. Not all hospitals have an emergency section just for psychiatric emergencies. I stayed for two days in the emergency ward before I was moved to the inpatient psychiatric unit.

The psychiatric unit was nothing like I thought it would be. I expected clinical, white rooms, scary patients, and horrible, mean nurses. The rooms are colourful with lots of art and decorations, most of the staff are caring and really want the best for you, and the patients are some of the most amazing people I've ever met. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. Usually during the first few days, you get multiple mental health assessments and physical health assessments (generally just blood work and an average check up). Some psychiatric units have social groups. Some do not. My unit has multiple skills groups such as baking, art, meditation, life planning, etc., and we are also fortunate to be able to use the physiotherapy rehabilitation pool and gym when it was not in use (which was just across the hall from our unit).

I came into hospital on no medications and now I take 3 medications on a daily basis and I have another I take as needed. I have no problem being on medication because I could not function without it. Medication gave me my sanity back. The hospital also connected me to a therapist I see at an outpatient clinic. Medication and therapy together generally work best as a combination.

Being in the hospital didn't take away all my problems. I attempted serious self harm twice while I was inpatient and one of those times I ended up in the emergency room.

Being in the hospital doesn't necessarily take away self harm urges.

Although the hospital is meant to be a safe place, unless you are being observed constantly (i.e. 1:1 observation) there are always opportunities to harm yourself. I managed to do quite a bit of self harm in hospital. But I also have the support I need for afterwards and as a preventative measure to prevent serious damage.

Going to the hospital can be difficult. But there are times when hospitalization is needed. Not everyone stays the same length of time. The stays in my unit ranged from 2 days to over a year. If you are having serious thoughts of harming yourself or others, please tell a family member, a friend, a teacher, a crisis hotline, and go to the emergency department to seek help.