"Not a clear enough forum for patients to open up to staff"

My experience has been overwhelmingly positive. I have suffered from bipolar for many years, but had been reluctant to speak openly to mental health professionals, for fear I would be "locked up" the key thrown away, and pumped full of drugs etc.

When I finally settled down at Wathwood, I opened up to staff and spoke candidly about my illness. They were all very supportive and I found it a very therapeutic experience. I began to believe that, with the right help, there was light at the end of the tunnel, and maybe I would be able to manage my condition in the community, without the pain and suffering previously experienced.

As I have progressed through the hospital, I have found that the responsibility gives for me to actively seek therapeutic dialogue with staff, where I can talk about my feelings and my illness. Although I am grateful for my opportunities, I am concerned other patients have not passed this "trust threshold" and are still reluctant to speak openly about their experiences.

There is also not a clear enough forum for this to happen. I sincerely believe that the paramount responsibility of psychiatric care is to establish a strong foundation of trust, where patients feel safe to discuss their situation; and this process is actively supported, with full provisions made to facilitate it.

Only then can the healing begin.