Michael’s* story
Before my admission to Priory Hospital Solihull, I had been in and out of hospital several times. I found it difficult to stay engaged with support in the community, and my use of cocaine often impacted my mental health and led to relapse.
Shortly after a previous discharge, I was readmitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act after becoming unwell again. I was experiencing hallucinations and found it difficult to look after myself. Following a prolonged stay across acute and psychiatric intensive care units (PICU), my symptoms only partially improved.
When I arrived at Priory Hospital Solihull, I continued to experience active symptoms of psychosis, including auditory and visual hallucinations. I initially found it difficult to engage and preferred to spend time alone. The team supported me through individual sessions at first, helping me to gradually build trust and begin engaging in my recovery.
Through this work, I was able to explore past experiences that had impacted my mental health, including difficult periods influenced by negative peer groups. This helped to shape a more personalised approach to my care. I engaged in one-to-one cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis, which gave me strategies to better understand and manage my symptoms.
A few months into my admission, I agreed to begin a new medication, which contributed to a gradual improvement in my mental health. While some symptoms remained, I was supported to develop coping strategies to manage the distress they caused.
Alongside this, I worked with the occupational therapy team to build my independence, particularly around managing my daily routine and preparing meals for myself.
As I became more settled, I started to engage in a wider range of therapeutic activities, including group sessions focused on emotional regulation, addiction recovery, and creative therapies. I also attended regular peer support groups, which helped me to stay focused on my goal of remaining abstinent from substances.
Over time, I developed a better understanding of my mental health and began to recognise early signs of relapse. With support, I created structured plans to help me manage both my wellbeing and risks related to substance use. I also became more confident in managing my medication, progressing to greater independence with this.
There were still challenges during my admission, including times where I struggled during periods of leave. However, these were explored with the team in a supportive and constructive way, helping me to learn and continue moving forward.
In the later stages of my admission, I began to focus on my longer-term goals. With support from the Occupational Therapy team, I started to rebuild skills linked to employment and enrolled on a course to support my return to work in the future.
I am now in a more stable position, with a clearer understanding of my mental health and the tools I need to manage it. I feel more confident about the future and continuing my recovery in the community.
*Name and images changed to protect identity
