Esacping the MHA
Discussion
I may have mentioned (
) that I'm currently enjoying some secure R&R courtesy of the lovely staff of the Hampshire NHS. I've been here for almost three weeks with no release date on the horizon as yet.
Despite the best efforts of the staff (and they are all very kind here) I've had enough of this place as frankly being under lock and key is proving too much to cope with alongside the reason I was admitted. I see other patients coming and going seemingly without restriction - apart from a time limit - yet I've had to ask to be escorted to do various mundane tasks such as pop to the bank or, like today, purchase a tube of toothpaste. I've asked if they consider me to be a flight risk (and I'm not as I understand the ramifications of such an action) but am told it's for my own protection.
The lack of privacy, dignity and trust is really starting to wear me down and the blanketwide rules such as no phonechargers in the room or the half hourly check through the flap in the door are causing me no end of stress which leaves me with little energy to tackle my initial problems. You'll notice I haven't made much of a mention of the other guests here, some of whom have much bigger and louder problems than me. Not the first choice of people to share a 'hotel' with.
The staff seem to have taken onboard my reluctance to scoff their pretty coloured tablets and the almost aggressive persuasion techniques seem to have subsided thankfully. However I realise this really rankles the docs who see them as quick and simple fix. I disagree. I'm also extremely reluctant to start pouring my heart out to all and sundry at the drop of a hat too. Again, a huge no no as far as the doctors are concerned.
This regime simply doesn't work for me. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have stepped back from the world and all the responsibilities that go with it, but I've had enough of this now. I had an interview with the psychotherapist today and she agreed that I'm not being obstructive, I just don't operate that way. However she did do her best to persuade me to pick a favourite nurse and bore them to tears with my troubles. I'm not keen (can you tell?!).
I'll admit I still have the same feeling of despair that brought me here in the first place, as the reason for my depression remains - and will be a permanent feature from now on. However being here is no longer beneficial to my mental state, quite the opposite as I'm starting to resent it.
I realise this all sounds like a good old whinge fest!
So my questions are: As I'm here as a voluntary admission how do I initiate the procedure for forcing a meeting of the various representatives of whomever decides such things to discuss me discharging myself?
If the meeting is unsuccessful (which the Doc seems to think it would be) will that mean I'm automatically Sectioned and can expect a three month stay?
Are there any websites that can give me an insight into what to expect? (I'm on an Android phone so have pity on my clicking abilities!)
Will there be a professional on "my side" (similar to Legal Aid etc) available to me? Despite the relative coherence of my typing (spilling moostakes aside) I'm still finding the whole interrogation process extremely intimidating and stammer my way through most meetings, so I could do with a friendly wingman.
Are there any key phrases or assurances I should say or definitely not say that will help my cause?
I'm a mentalist - get me out of here!
) that I'm currently enjoying some secure R&R courtesy of the lovely staff of the Hampshire NHS. I've been here for almost three weeks with no release date on the horizon as yet.Despite the best efforts of the staff (and they are all very kind here) I've had enough of this place as frankly being under lock and key is proving too much to cope with alongside the reason I was admitted. I see other patients coming and going seemingly without restriction - apart from a time limit - yet I've had to ask to be escorted to do various mundane tasks such as pop to the bank or, like today, purchase a tube of toothpaste. I've asked if they consider me to be a flight risk (and I'm not as I understand the ramifications of such an action) but am told it's for my own protection.
The lack of privacy, dignity and trust is really starting to wear me down and the blanketwide rules such as no phonechargers in the room or the half hourly check through the flap in the door are causing me no end of stress which leaves me with little energy to tackle my initial problems. You'll notice I haven't made much of a mention of the other guests here, some of whom have much bigger and louder problems than me. Not the first choice of people to share a 'hotel' with.
The staff seem to have taken onboard my reluctance to scoff their pretty coloured tablets and the almost aggressive persuasion techniques seem to have subsided thankfully. However I realise this really rankles the docs who see them as quick and simple fix. I disagree. I'm also extremely reluctant to start pouring my heart out to all and sundry at the drop of a hat too. Again, a huge no no as far as the doctors are concerned.
This regime simply doesn't work for me. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have stepped back from the world and all the responsibilities that go with it, but I've had enough of this now. I had an interview with the psychotherapist today and she agreed that I'm not being obstructive, I just don't operate that way. However she did do her best to persuade me to pick a favourite nurse and bore them to tears with my troubles. I'm not keen (can you tell?!).
I'll admit I still have the same feeling of despair that brought me here in the first place, as the reason for my depression remains - and will be a permanent feature from now on. However being here is no longer beneficial to my mental state, quite the opposite as I'm starting to resent it.
I realise this all sounds like a good old whinge fest!
So my questions are: As I'm here as a voluntary admission how do I initiate the procedure for forcing a meeting of the various representatives of whomever decides such things to discuss me discharging myself?
If the meeting is unsuccessful (which the Doc seems to think it would be) will that mean I'm automatically Sectioned and can expect a three month stay?
Are there any websites that can give me an insight into what to expect? (I'm on an Android phone so have pity on my clicking abilities!)
Will there be a professional on "my side" (similar to Legal Aid etc) available to me? Despite the relative coherence of my typing (spilling moostakes aside) I'm still finding the whole interrogation process extremely intimidating and stammer my way through most meetings, so I could do with a friendly wingman.
Are there any key phrases or assurances I should say or definitely not say that will help my cause?
I'm a mentalist - get me out of here!
Can I suggest you contact a solicitor, to 'mediate' on your behalf. Once he offers to sue the Feckers, and gets an 'indepentant' to verify your safe enough, they'll s
t themselves. Hopefully.
That and ask to borrow films called "Girl Interupted" and "woman on the verge of a mental breakdown"
Both worthy of an afternoon's viewing.
t themselves. Hopefully. That and ask to borrow films called "Girl Interupted" and "woman on the verge of a mental breakdown"
Both worthy of an afternoon's viewing.
Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. It is like a low security prison with entry and exit being tightly controlled via electric locks on the doors and anti climb gubbins on the outside walls.
To leave requires consent of a member of staff. If you started to do a Great Escape you'd be physically restrained and Sectioned. If you legged it while out either on trust or with an escort you'd find yourself in the back of a Police van to be returned and Sectioned. If I kick up a hysterical fuss about desiring to leave, I'll be Sectioned. And so on.
It's for my own good, you see...
To leave requires consent of a member of staff. If you started to do a Great Escape you'd be physically restrained and Sectioned. If you legged it while out either on trust or with an escort you'd find yourself in the back of a Police van to be returned and Sectioned. If I kick up a hysterical fuss about desiring to leave, I'll be Sectioned. And so on.
It's for my own good, you see...
Jeebus.
I really had no idea it was like that. I suppose it is little consolation, but at least you have some access to the outside world via the internet.
How long will it be until you can have an interview and assessment? I really wish you all the best and a positive future. Hopefully it won't be too long in there.
I really had no idea it was like that. I suppose it is little consolation, but at least you have some access to the outside world via the internet.
How long will it be until you can have an interview and assessment? I really wish you all the best and a positive future. Hopefully it won't be too long in there.
Don't get me wrong, the staff are great and do care about my wellbeing. For instance the nurse who walked with me to purchase toothpaste is a lovely girl and very easy to chat with. But it's not the same as popping out on a whim or making a snap decision to stop for a coffee and a paper.
I get assessed on a weekly basis but seemed to have skipped one due to my session with the Psycotherapist (she made me cry - lots!) and I got the impression that it was the first of many meetings. (I've no idea if these are possible as an 'Out Patient' deal)
So it looks like I'll have to wait another week to state my case, which will most likely be ignored or denied. This may send me bonkers over the weekend. Hence my query about trying to force a 'hearing'.
I get assessed on a weekly basis but seemed to have skipped one due to my session with the Psycotherapist (she made me cry - lots!
) and I got the impression that it was the first of many meetings. (I've no idea if these are possible as an 'Out Patient' deal) So it looks like I'll have to wait another week to state my case, which will most likely be ignored or denied. This may send me bonkers over the weekend. Hence my query about trying to force a 'hearing'.
That can't be helping morale too much. If you are there of your own accord surely it won't be for too long.
Hopefully it is just a case of seeing how you get on and then they'll get you out of there.
As long as you are getting support inside to help you along and of course you can still wander around (even if it is supervised) it is better than nothing.
Drop me a PM if you get really bored, I think a bit of banter may help to relieve the boredom. It's not the same but I'm currently stuck in the house abroad due to immigration issues...
Hopefully it is just a case of seeing how you get on and then they'll get you out of there.
As long as you are getting support inside to help you along and of course you can still wander around (even if it is supervised) it is better than nothing.
Drop me a PM if you get really bored, I think a bit of banter may help to relieve the boredom. It's not the same but I'm currently stuck in the house abroad due to immigration issues...
Hi GKP, I cannot even begin to imagine how hard this must be for you. Having read a number of your posts recently, it makes me both sad and frustrated for you, in that you need help resolving your issues, not just being given pills and locked away from your own good. it is unfortunate that this is the way the process works when you are deemed to be a risk to yourself or others.
One reality is that you might well be there for some time yet. The question is, if that is the case, what do you propose to do to help a) get through this time b) start helping yourself. The reason I say the second bit is that it makes me wonder if you already know how to start resolving your issues, other than the obvious termninal route. What do you think you need to do to start making a difference to your own life? Could it be that your reluctance to take medicine and what ever therapies are on offer, is that you already know these won't help, but that you know something else might.
This much I do undestand about your situation. I know people can get removed from the mental health register. I know this as a fact, as I have helped people come off the register having resolved issues surrounding bipolar and depression. So I know it can be done. But i'll say this to you. If you want to do that, if you want to be free from the demons that are clearly tourmenting you, then sooner, rather than later, you will need to start addressing these demons in an appropriate way. it sounds like the current environment isn't that place, but faced with the choice of living a life that could enrich you in so many ways, or a death that terminates and potential for a better life than now what would you rather do?
No one has any right to challenge you in your thoughts and actions around your own life - only you can do that. Take a moment yet again, to ask yourself, yet again if life could be better and if you want it to be better.
In the mean time, we are all here and listening and supporting you as much as we can. But that support is offered with the love of life in mind and the hope and desire to see your life enriched, not ended. Either way, the support will not stop and I wound not want you to stop posting, but I want you to understand that we want you to want to live.
DMN
One reality is that you might well be there for some time yet. The question is, if that is the case, what do you propose to do to help a) get through this time b) start helping yourself. The reason I say the second bit is that it makes me wonder if you already know how to start resolving your issues, other than the obvious termninal route. What do you think you need to do to start making a difference to your own life? Could it be that your reluctance to take medicine and what ever therapies are on offer, is that you already know these won't help, but that you know something else might.
This much I do undestand about your situation. I know people can get removed from the mental health register. I know this as a fact, as I have helped people come off the register having resolved issues surrounding bipolar and depression. So I know it can be done. But i'll say this to you. If you want to do that, if you want to be free from the demons that are clearly tourmenting you, then sooner, rather than later, you will need to start addressing these demons in an appropriate way. it sounds like the current environment isn't that place, but faced with the choice of living a life that could enrich you in so many ways, or a death that terminates and potential for a better life than now what would you rather do?
No one has any right to challenge you in your thoughts and actions around your own life - only you can do that. Take a moment yet again, to ask yourself, yet again if life could be better and if you want it to be better.
In the mean time, we are all here and listening and supporting you as much as we can. But that support is offered with the love of life in mind and the hope and desire to see your life enriched, not ended. Either way, the support will not stop and I wound not want you to stop posting, but I want you to understand that we want you to want to live.
DMN
drivin_me_nuts said:
Hi GKP, I cannot even begin to imagine how hard this must be for you. Having read a number of your posts recently, it makes me both sad and frustrated for you, in that you need help resolving your issues, not just being given pills and locked away from your own good. it is unfortunate that this is the way the process works when you are deemed to be a risk to yourself or others.
One reality is that you might well be there for some time yet. The question is, if that is the case, what do you propose to do to help a) get through this time b) start helping yourself. The reason I say the second bit is that it makes me wonder if you already know how to start resolving your issues, other than the obvious termninal route. What do you think you need to do to start making a difference to your own life? Could it be that your reluctance to take medicine and what ever therapies are on offer, is that you already know these won't help, but that you know something else might.
This much I do undestand about your situation. I know people can get removed from the mental health register. I know this as a fact, as I have helped people come off the register having resolved issues surrounding bipolar and depression. So I know it can be done. But i'll say this to you. If you want to do that, if you want to be free from the demons that are clearly tourmenting you, then sooner, rather than later, you will need to start addressing these demons in an appropriate way. it sounds like the current environment isn't that place, but faced with the choice of living a life that could enrich you in so many ways, or a death that terminates and potential for a better life than now what would you rather do?
No one has any right to challenge you in your thoughts and actions around your own life - only you can do that. Take a moment yet again, to ask yourself, yet again if life could be better and if you want it to be better.
In the mean time, we are all here and listening and supporting you as much as we can. But that support is offered with the love of life in mind and the hope and desire to see your life enriched, not ended. Either way, the support will not stop and I wound not want you to stop posting, but I want you to understand that we want you to want to live.
DMN
You really sound like you know your beans. I really wouldn't know how to tackle such issues, but it is great to see there are people on here willing to give straight advice and help.One reality is that you might well be there for some time yet. The question is, if that is the case, what do you propose to do to help a) get through this time b) start helping yourself. The reason I say the second bit is that it makes me wonder if you already know how to start resolving your issues, other than the obvious termninal route. What do you think you need to do to start making a difference to your own life? Could it be that your reluctance to take medicine and what ever therapies are on offer, is that you already know these won't help, but that you know something else might.
This much I do undestand about your situation. I know people can get removed from the mental health register. I know this as a fact, as I have helped people come off the register having resolved issues surrounding bipolar and depression. So I know it can be done. But i'll say this to you. If you want to do that, if you want to be free from the demons that are clearly tourmenting you, then sooner, rather than later, you will need to start addressing these demons in an appropriate way. it sounds like the current environment isn't that place, but faced with the choice of living a life that could enrich you in so many ways, or a death that terminates and potential for a better life than now what would you rather do?
No one has any right to challenge you in your thoughts and actions around your own life - only you can do that. Take a moment yet again, to ask yourself, yet again if life could be better and if you want it to be better.
In the mean time, we are all here and listening and supporting you as much as we can. But that support is offered with the love of life in mind and the hope and desire to see your life enriched, not ended. Either way, the support will not stop and I wound not want you to stop posting, but I want you to understand that we want you to want to live.
DMN
We're all part of this funny little online community and it's good to see people helping each other out.
I haven't been Sectioned, no. That would be a whole different kettle of fish and a nightmare to untangle.
On the advise of my GP (I'd been taken to him by my concerned councellor) I allowed myself to be admitted to the care of the psych unit. He would have probably have pushed for me to have been Sectioned if I hadn't consented. This took the second opinion of other Doctors to initiate it and was all done and dusted within a couple of hours - which included grabbing a bag of clean pants!
So yes, mental.
But as far as my legal rights go it's better to have allowed myself to be admitted rather than the MHA being invoked and they bring out the straight jackets. Because I'm voluntary I can't be forced to accept any treatment or medication etc if I don't fancy it. Obviously this can work against me if the docs see no improvement, whereby they can Section me and those choices are significantly removed.
The whole thing is a sort of Catch 22 situation, but it's kept me alive for now.
On the advise of my GP (I'd been taken to him by my concerned councellor) I allowed myself to be admitted to the care of the psych unit. He would have probably have pushed for me to have been Sectioned if I hadn't consented. This took the second opinion of other Doctors to initiate it and was all done and dusted within a couple of hours - which included grabbing a bag of clean pants!
So yes, mental.
But as far as my legal rights go it's better to have allowed myself to be admitted rather than the MHA being invoked and they bring out the straight jackets. Because I'm voluntary I can't be forced to accept any treatment or medication etc if I don't fancy it. Obviously this can work against me if the docs see no improvement, whereby they can Section me and those choices are significantly removed.
The whole thing is a sort of Catch 22 situation, but it's kept me alive for now.
GKP, if you can do one thing to change your life, stop thinking about as 'mental'. You are not 'mental'. You have a number of issues that need resolving. Behind them there are triggers and reasons that need resolution. No where in that are you a 'mental case', or a hopeless case, or beyond help or any of things that people label you with, or even you label yourself with.
If you start to change one thing today, start with this. You are a man who needs to resolve his issues, not a 'mental case' beyond all help and for want of a word, incurable. That's not you.
If you start to change one thing today, start with this. You are a man who needs to resolve his issues, not a 'mental case' beyond all help and for want of a word, incurable. That's not you.
I am a bit confused.
You admit you still have the problems that brought you there, you refuse to take the medication, or engage in the counselling that might also help, but you want to leave. So what has changed that makes you think you are better and wont have (for want of a better term) a relapse? At which point they will invoke the MHA.
As for leaving, its a hospital not a prison, and unless they have a court order keeping you there, can you not tell them simply that your leaving and they will need to fill out whatever paper work covers their back?
On a side note, hope you do get things sorted ASAP, as I cant imagine 3 weeks in a hospital being much fun.
You admit you still have the problems that brought you there, you refuse to take the medication, or engage in the counselling that might also help, but you want to leave. So what has changed that makes you think you are better and wont have (for want of a better term) a relapse? At which point they will invoke the MHA.
As for leaving, its a hospital not a prison, and unless they have a court order keeping you there, can you not tell them simply that your leaving and they will need to fill out whatever paper work covers their back?
On a side note, hope you do get things sorted ASAP, as I cant imagine 3 weeks in a hospital being much fun.
Thanks DMN, you scribed that while I was thumbing away on my phone.
Well, this place isn't working for me anymore. I won't know if I'll cope in the outside world until I'm there. If something comes along that makes me consider it ain't so bad after all then I'll gladly grasp that. If not, then I know I still have the option of a peaceful resolution if need be.
In the meantime I'd probably climb back into my shell and peer out every now and again. And no, there's only room for one in there, as allowing some one to share is how I ended up in this mess in the first place.
So, how do I legally get out of this prison and live in a more comfortable one?
Well, this place isn't working for me anymore. I won't know if I'll cope in the outside world until I'm there. If something comes along that makes me consider it ain't so bad after all then I'll gladly grasp that. If not, then I know I still have the option of a peaceful resolution if need be.
In the meantime I'd probably climb back into my shell and peer out every now and again. And no, there's only room for one in there, as allowing some one to share is how I ended up in this mess in the first place.
So, how do I legally get out of this prison and live in a more comfortable one?
GKP said:
What are you trying to tell me? 
But you know if you stay cocooned in a room full of people sneezing and coughing, chances are you'll catch a cold. Well...
Mental health isn't something that is contageous though...But you know if you stay cocooned in a room full of people sneezing and coughing, chances are you'll catch a cold. Well...
Patterns of behaviour, life events, coping strategies, issue resolution, steps forward .. these are all open to you as a way ahead. Not the limiting belief of metal illness. Freedom of mind starts with you. I'll give you an example. My lass came from Iran. She went into the most notorious prison in Tehran. Evin is it's name. It is hellish beyond words. But in there, in all the madness and extreme cruelty, mental depravity and butchery she knew and she saw some of the most free people she said she ever met. They could not touch what was inside the minds of some of the prisoners. And the same is true for all of us. It requires just the slightest of mind shifts. It does not have to be dramatic, but it is life changing. You are not mental, you are not going to become mental, you can be free from these events that have so clouded your life. But really, i'll say it again, it starts with YOU and your desire to change.
You have noting to prove to anyone. But you do have the birthright to freedom of mind and the life you want to live. Your way.
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