Mental health-Day services

Legacy_user

hey,

i just wanted to know if anyone here has had experiences of Day Services? My psych agrees i seem to be getting worse and not better and need more support so she mentioned about referring me to day services though she gave my little information about it other than there possibly being one one one support and group work.

any info of personal experiences would be great or links to info (i've googled it but not come up with any info on what is actually involved)

thank you

[Deleted User]

perhaps you could ask if you could try it for a short period to see if it helps?

dmg24

I got referred to the day hospital a few years ago.

You should be assigned a support worker who will decide what activities you will take part in - this can be one to one therapies, or activities such as group talking therapies, cookery, art therapy etc. Attendance can vary - some people go everyday for anything from six weeks to several months, some people go two days a week for an indefinite period.

Unfortunately my experience was not good. I got left sat in a room with some people that were very scary to me (no disrespect to them, they were ill, but not a therapeutic environment for me), and I disappeared at lunch and didn't go back. No one tried to find out where I had gone, and I spent several hours wondering around a pretty dodgy area!

I am sure it works for many people, but a good support worker is key, and you can usually go for a visit to see how you feel.

(Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound so negative!)

crazy_girl

im hoping to get a referal for this too when i see my psych on thursday. the one thing i do go to at the moment is an art class for adults with mh problems once a week, i find it really theraputic and i dont have to be embarrased about my condition or try to hide it is there anything like that in your area mu?

SingleSue

I was referred to day services when I had my break down.......I went the once, got scared and never went back.

I just didn't feel that I belonged there and it wasn't really the sort of thing I needed to get me back to my normal again...basket weaving and painting (which is what they did as activities!) are just not my thing, I like stimulating discussion.

It also didn't help that a close friend to both myself and hubby worked there, the embarrasment factor was too great and I was trying my best to hide my problems from everyone outside of my immediate family.

septemberblues

I've been going to a day centre for about 3 years, you can go as often or as little as you like. You can generally choose what groups you are interested in, such as: art/hearing voices/group therapy/walking group/photography/computer lessons/ladies group/cookery/relaxation etc. There is also a computer room where you can just turn up or have lessons. I don't actually go to any groups as I am more a 1 to 1 type person, so I see pschycotherapist (sp) weekly, but I have had it twice weekly at my worst!

There is also a little cafe, in fact there is loads to do. Also you can get help in filling in forms or debts.

System

Thank you for all the replies, still waiting to recieve info from my psych on it, but i don't feel quite as worried, and don't worry about telling me about negative expereinces, i'd rather know so i can form a more rounded opinion IYKWIM.

cattie

It will depend on which area you live in as to what will be on offer. In the area I now live in the council no longer fund any day centres for people with mental health problems, so none are in existence.

Also here, if a psychiatrist refers a patient to the day hospital of the local mental health unit at the hospital, it will be for a limited time only, generally no longer than a 12 week duration. I did a creative writing course at the day hospital a couple of years ago & found it very helpful. Other courses on offer were gardening, art therapy, exercise, swimming, basic cookery,hearing voices.

Although other boroughs than the one I now live in do offer far better support services such as day centres etc, I have to say the community mental health services in my borough do at least offer a first class service by way of ongoing support via cpn's to make up for the lack of support in other area's.

crazy_girl

mu- ive been referred to the community psychiatric team who have day services and also to a charity for adults with mh problems called choices, i will report back if and when i see anyone/ attend anything

septemberblues

cattie wrote: »

It will depend on which area you live in as to what will be on offer. In the area I now live in the council no longer fund any day centres for people with mental health problems, so none are in existence.

Also here, if a psychiatrist refers a patient to the day hospital of the local mental health unit at the hospital, it will be for a limited time only, generally no longer than a 12 week duration. I did a creative writing course at the day hospital a couple of years ago & found it very helpful. Other courses on offer were gardening, art therapy, exercise, swimming, basic cookery,hearing voices.

Although other boroughs than the one I now live in do offer far better support services such as day centres etc, I have to say the community mental health services in my borough do at least offer a first class service by way of ongoing support via cpn's to make up for the lack of support in other area's.

As well as Day Centres for people with mh issues, there is a lot of support in other ways - I have a Social Worker, STR worker (Support, Time, Recovery) a Psychiatrist and a Psychotherapist. BUT I do know I am very well looked after by the services, and this is certainly not the case with everyone. I guess it is better in some places than others.