"In-patient stay at Bowland in Blackpool"

I was going through a difficult time mentally and I felt it was necessary to find out what was wrong with me.

I am rediscovering myself at the Bowland unit, because I have known myself and lost myself because of my illness. What has helped are some of the other patients, talking to them has made me feel I am not on my own, I can relate to them and share. The staff are really nice, they seem concerned and helpful. They have helped me apply for college.

Most important things in my recovery have been, a stable environment something to stay constant, activity groups, artwork, variety of food, nurses and staff are stable and good to be around.

Really optimistic about going into the community, have ideas and plans which I can implement better. I would like to know there is someone I can talk to and if I find myself in not a good space, there is someone who will understand and not reject my ideas as nonsense.

I would like to be educated, and college is really important to me. As long as I know there is someone there that will be support for me.

The advice I would give to someone else is, I would say don’t think you are alone; don’t be ashamed to ask someone for help and guidance, we all live crazy lives. Sometimes they don’t know the help is there.