My Mosaic

@Bow What kind of peer work would you like to do? 🤩

I can see that your mind might be being a little tough on you tonight, and it sounds like you're feeling a sense of loneliness? Would you like to talk about it? I am here with you. 💛

Hi dear @Bow

A bit late but here with you hon.

Hi @AuntGlow nice to see you on here too.

Hello @Snowie!

How are you feeling tonight?

Thank you for being here for @Bow. 🩷

@AuntGlow My dream would be to work in the hospital as a peer worker.

TW

I still very vividly remember waking up in the ICU after my first very serious attempt. I was intubated and very terrified. I remained intubated for another day but was awake on and off. They sent the mental health person around to see but I was still tuned so that obviously couldn’t talk. I spent another day in ICU once they removed the tube but I never seen mental health again. I was eventually transferred to a medical ward and spent days there and again didn’t see mh. And then I was sent home.
I desperately wanted…. Needed to talk to someone, especially in ICU once I could talk. Yeah I had a 1 on 1 nurse care, but they don’t understand.

I also remember all the times that I have presented or been taken to the ED for SI. You’re not a priority. You sit and wait for hours. You’re seen as a nuisance and an attention seeker. You often don’t receive basic treatment and care. All while you’re in crisis and desperately needing support and understanding.

I would like to work in those spaces. Offer support and understanding to someone who’s just woken up from an attempt they’d hoped they wouldn’t wake up from. Be a listening ear when you’re terrified by what’s happening to their body and everything that’s surrounding them. It’s bloody scary!

Go around the medical wards and listen to patients there too. I’ve spent weeks at a time on medical wards with my eating disorder. You can’t be in psych cause you’re not medically stable, but medical wards do not provide any of that psych support. You might see the psych team once a week, if that. And the nurse have zero clue and zero time.
The ED…. Just want to again provide support. Make a cuppa. Get a blanket. Chase up some medication. Advocate if needed. When your in crisis in that place, you might have one opportunity to talk to psych who then make a decision on what happens, but gosh, sometimes talking can hard.

That was a lot sorry @AuntGlow but yeah I am in no way in a place to be able to do any of that. I’m on the verge of needing that support myself at the moment.

Hi @Snowie 🤗

@Bow I think you would be perfect for that job. I really do think that lived experience would help so much. Be that voice and support for the person who desperately needs it.

Last time I was at the ED I saw a nurse, who couldn't have cared less. Just got sent home.

@AuntGlow rough night last night so an easy couch day today.

Yep, some ED nurses are just plain rude to mh patients @Snowie

one time I was taken in really late… after I’d had my meds. I was offloaded my the ambos and sat on a chair in the ambo bay along with a few other mh patients. My meds make me pretty queasy and lightheaded so I grab a blanket and lay on the floor. I was there maybe 5 mins and a nurse came over and demanded I get back up. I said no I’ve had my meds and I need to lay down. She told me again to get up cause people would see and make them look bad! I again said no and she said get up or I’ll get security. Back on the chair and I soon pass out. 😩

I get we’re medically not a priority, but treat us will a bit of decency and kindness.

you know we got a multibillion dollar new hospital a few years ago and our ED has a specialised MH unit, but it’s not used cause there is no staff for it.

Thats just sad @Bow It makes me angry that someone would treat you that way.

Some nurses just make things worse.

Just a little kindness goes a long way.

Living rural, our ED is very small. Last time they just sent me home b/c of a lack of resources.

Or they tell you to go to a bigger one, which is about an hour away. I guess that way, you are not their problem.

Thats a shame that the MH unit isn't being used.

We have been promised a hospital out our way for about the last 6 years. Politicians always promise it. Nothing done.

That’s hard that you have a small hospital @Snowie and to get any proper support they have to send you elsewhere.

im looking forward to bed time. My heads really not ok