A man from Essex who had a breakdown and experienced psychosis which led to him being treated in a psychiatric hospital has shared his story to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (Monday, May 15 to Sunday, May 21).
Last year, Martin suffered a breakdown and was admitted to St Andrew’s Healthcare’s Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Essex where he was treated for just over three months.
The 38-year-old said it was triggered by a bad relationship break-up and the psychosis led to some unpredictable and sometimes unsafe behaviour. This worried his family and friends and he was sectioned for the first time in his life.
He said: “I had no idea my mental health was so fragile. I genuinely thought my ex-girlfriend was a terrorist and was coming to kill us all. To me, that was my reality.”
Martin was discharged at Christmas and now is doing all he can to raise awareness of complex mental health, which is why he has taken part in a photography exhibition called Hope.
The project has been commissioned by St Andrew’s and in addition to Martin, features portraits of four other people who have all been sectioned at some point due to varying mental health difficulties.
Each individual was captured holding an object that holds significant or sentimental meaning to them because it gave them hope along the way. In a separate shot they were captured with a staff member, chosen by the patient for the support they gave along their recovery journey.
St Andrew’s Healthcare’s CEO Dr Vivienne McVey said: “A large part of what we do as a mental health Charity is to help people find some sense of hope. Sometimes finding hope can be incredibility difficult for the people we care for, but hope is that one thing that insists something better awaits us, if we only keep fighting for it.
“Through this powerful photo exhibition we wanted to show that recovery is possible, if you find hope. It showcases the inspiring stories of five people who’ve been in our care and what hope means for them. We also wanted to show other people who may be experiencing similar mental health struggles, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
“We care for some of the most clinically complex patients in the country, many of whom when they are first admitted think their future is bleak and empty. Our staff are compassionate, empathetic and consistent, they make our patients feel valued and cared for, reminding them that they deserve to live meaningful, fulfilled lives.
“We’re hugely proud of our Hope Exhibition and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have played a part in bringing the project to life, especially the people in our care who have agreed to raise awareness of complex mental health needs.”
