"Sligo Mental Health Service"

My overall experiences of the Sligo mental health services

For the past 4 years I’ve suffered from depression. This dark cloud that takes over your life. during that time I was so sick, weak, no energy, stayed in bed for a lot of it. This year was probably the worst of all as I was almost at deaths door. My family were so worried and concerned about me as I closed myself off from everyone that they didn’t have any choice but to seek help from the nurses and my own G. P. to have me hospitalised.

In late July this year, I was admitted to St. Columbus Hospital where I spent 6-7 weeks. It was the best thing that ever happened to me as I’ve come out a far better person. Had I not agreed to go on that day, I may not be here writing this. I was like a skeleton as I had gone down from 8st2lb to 6st. I wasn’t eating or sleeping properly, I’m so lucky to have come out the other side and I now know how serious things were.

From the first day of being admitted to hospital I received excellent care. My consultant Dr. O’Neill and his team were on hand. It was so hard to try and make any sense of what they were saying to you when you are so low – sick. The turning point came for me after a few weeks with the night medication and what a relief it was when that big black cloud disappears. You finally begin to see that there is light at the other end of the tunnel and that things will get better in time.

I was very impressed by the work all of the team do an especially by the team meetings even though sometimes you weren’t tuned in a lot of the time you were just there. But as you got better, you began to understand them more. The nurses were also very kind and supportive in the hospital as were the kitchen staff and housekeeping.

At the start of September, I was discharged from hospital out to a group home where I was also made to feel very welcome by the other patients and housekeeping staff and also by the nurses at the rocky day centre. It is a great feeling to be out and about and knowing that things will get better and that you are also feeling good in yourself. With the services I did a Cognitive-Affective Stress Management Training Program which I found very helpful. You learn to stay cool, relaxed and to look at things and situations in a different way as in the past. We also did a Falls course which was very helpful also with different tips on things.

I would like to see a follow up on what we did. Also more art classes and more group discussions on what the people with mental health issues would like to see what is happening in our area, and any improvements can be made to help us. Some of us in the group would like if we could have access to a DVD and watch the documentary about Johnny E  on his depression and have a cup of tea and a chat. It would be nice if all of the people who attended the day centre for the past number of years were given the opportunity to have a little get together for Christmas as its the season of good will.

Finally I would advise any one who is feeling low – or has mental health issues to go and seek help. The sooner you get it, the sooner you will have a recovery. Don’t be like me with 4 years of torture which looking back was horrendous. When the big dark cloud rakes over, you are a totally different person. Act fast. Don’t delay.

A big thank you to all the team.

Best Wishes,