I want to share what the last 24 hours in the Emergency Department (ED) at Derriford Hospital has been like from my perspective.
This is not written to attack individual staff members. I have met some genuinely kind and compassionate people during this experience, and I am grateful for the moments where I felt listened to and treated with dignity. However, I also feel it is important to share what it is like to navigate emergency care while experiencing a serious mental health crisis.
When you are already struggling, arriving at an Emergency Department can feel like taking a huge step. You are placing your trust in a system and hoping that someone will understand how much you are struggling and help you feel safe.
My last 24 hours in ED have left me with many emotions: confusion, disappointment, exhaustion, and a feeling of not knowing where I fit within the system. There were moments where I felt supported, but there were also moments where I felt dismissed and unsure about what was happening with my care.
This is my experience. I understand that staff are working under enormous pressure and that every situation is complex. However, when someone reaches the point of asking for emergency help, the way they are spoken to, listened to, and supported can have a lasting impact.
I hope that by sharing my experience, it encourages more conversations about how people experiencing mental health crises are cared for within emergency settings. Behind every attendance at ED is a person who has reached a point where they need help—and that moment matters.
