@Ctaylor1989
I understand your fear of a mental health admission. I hope I can give you some answers of what it may be like, but it is only from my experiences in a number of different hospitals over the years, mostly public, but one private (which I hated).
Hospitals are all different in their capacity, services & decision making. Generally public hospitals have lower capacity and less options for services, so they make be less likely to admit you. Some will do anything to keep you out of hospital if they don't have room for you. But even if they don't admit you, they may be able to offer some options for support.
How long I'll be there. Or what will happen. Or what I can bring or what I can do.
- Depending on how busy the hospital is - you may be waiting hours before seeing anyone. You could shorten your wait if you are taken in by ambulance, but I do not reccommend it unless you are actively at risk - as they are likely to make you involuntary which can be more stressful. It is often in a busy noisy waiting room. I usually take a water bottle, snack, headphones, phone charger & things to do for this part. It make take longer around change of shift times (often 6am, 2pm, 10pm), and can be busier at night. If not urgent it may be best to go in the morning after 8am.
- There is likely to be several people that see you to make assessments - such as a general doctor, a mental health nurse, psychiatrist. Be prepared to explain your symptoms and justify why you feel you would like an admission. It may help if you have someone who could go with you and can also advocate for your admission, or someone the hospital could call to talk about you (friend or family). But more importantly be prepared to articulate what you want help with - do you want medication to calm you in the short term &/or longer term, somewhere to keep you safe from hurting yourself, someone to talk with about your current stressors, some crisis phone numbers, to be connected to a community mental health worker, some strategies to calm yourself when you are feeling overwhelmed, a medical certificate for a few days off work...
- If you do get admitted they are likely to search your belongings for anything that could be used to harm yourself - such as cords (phone chargers, shoe laces, drawstrings in hoodies/pants), sharp items, medications, plastic bags. So it can help to wear clothes and shoes without cords in them. They may ask you to empty your pockets and get you to pat your clothing to show that your aren't concealing anything you could harm yourself with. Some hospitals may not allow you to have your phone or may restrict your access. If you are worried about being without your music - maybe consider an alternative device such as an ipod. Or politely ask a nurse what alternatives they have.
- They should show you around. Your room may be individual or for 2 people. The beds are often uncomfortable - I often take a soft blanket as I find the hospital ones can be scratchy - this can be good in the waiting room too - though you can ask for extra blankets/pillow if you want. There may be a toilet/shower per room, or several to be shared by everyone. The toilets/showers are designed for safety first, so may not have very hot water, and allow nurses to check on you - so not full privacy. There is usually a kitchen/dining areas (often able to make your own tea/coffee and some snacks available). Some hospitals make you eat in the common areas, but usually you can take your food tray whereever you like. There are usually several common areas such as tv/lounge rooms, a courtyard, so can find a quieter corner. There may be things available to do such as colouring, jigsaw puzzles, books to read - or you may be able to ask for things to do - but much better if you can take some things that you enjoy.
- Psychiatric wards are often locked so you need permission to leave. Usually no leave for the first day or 2, then depending on your individual circumstances, you may be permitted to have short periods of supervised or unsupervised leave. I never had leave, but my stays were usually only a few days.
- There is usually a routine for when you do what each day - set times when meals are served in dining room, medication rounds. Nurses come round regularly (every 15mins or so) to check each person is ok, and are meant to be available to talk with - but in my experience are often too busy to talk. When I have been in I would usually talk with the psychiatrist each day - usually with the nurse allocated to me attending also, and often a few extra doctors too. I found having lots of people interviewing me overwhelming, but had to get used to it. One hospital wrote a list of times when each person would see the dr, but others you would just be called when it was your turn.
- There can be extra people who visit such as social workers, occupational therapists, mental health rights advocates, or maybe even peer workers. They often have set times that they come (often weekdays) - and may do set activities such as art activities, meditation, exercise (walking/yoga), or discussion strategies such as managing a budget or relaxation techniques. Usually the activites are optional, though encouraged if you feel up to it, so you don't get too bored. I usually opted out of the activities, though sometimes I would sit at a table nearby & listen in and if I liked it I would go join in. I would really reccomend that you take any opportunity to talk one-on-one with any of the support people social workers, peer workers, advocates, etc. Ask them what their role is and how they can help and utilise whatever they can help you with. If nothing else can be good to chat with a professional.
- Your treatment should be ideally negotiated between you and your psychiatrist, but if they feel you are not capable of making a rational decision they may make you involuntary which allows them to keep you in hospital, and to take the medication they think is best for you. It is best to work with the staff being compliant to most of their requests (it is ok if you disagree sometimes - if you can explain why).
- Your discharge should be well planned so you feel safe and supported once you leave. Do speak up if there is anything you feel you need.
Things to take:
Comfortable clothes & shoes without any cords/shoelaces, toiletries, blanket/pillow, phone charger, water bottle, snacks, lots to do - books/magazines, colouring, puzzle books (crosswords/sodoku), notebook to write in. If you take any medications - you can take them in, but they usually provide what you need.
If you don't get admitted it can be very disappointing, distressing or you may be scared about how you are going to get the help you need. There are other ways to access services and get support, including phoning support services such as Lifeline or SANE. They aren't just for suicidal crisis - they can provide a chance to chat about your stressors & feelings; to discuss strategies to cope and to refer to other services that can help. Tell them what you are looking for and they may be able to help. If not try again at another time, or try a different service.
And don't forget to connect with friends or family if that helps you. I didn't tell my family what was happening with my mental health, but sometimes found that talking or spending time with them could help distract me from my distressing thoughts. You may like to consider developing a suicide safety plan, to plan what you could do to help you cope if you have distressing thoughts of wanting to end your life.
Hope it all goes well & you get the help you are looking for. And keep posting on these forums if that is helping too.
