Ok, so what is the difference between A&E observation unit and a proper mental hospital? Mind you those are very likey to be different for different countries or even hospitals. After I got taken to A&E sometimes last week, I got placed into Observation unit (it didn’t actually state observation is due to bad mental health but the place was staffed with mental health nurses). The unit had four female beds on one side of the corridor, two males bed on the other, a few chairs, toilets with showers and a large desk for staff in the middle.

Access to the unit was controlled by fobs and there was no tea and coffee facilities there. If staff wasn’t busy we could have hot drinks on demand, but if they were we had to wait but water was always available. Beds had privacy curtains and that was satisfactory enough for me. There were also two, really small rooms there in case someone needed to talk privately.

I really liked that environment. I don’t know, possibly it wouldn’t work for everyone, maybe I liked it because it was reminding me of my travels, when I was usually staying in hostels? But I felt like there was something else going on about it: like if by sharing a room with women who were completely different than me I really felt I’m not the only one with my problems.

Now, in the hospital, I have small ensuite room. It can get a bit noisy as it’s a first room off the communal arrea.

I feel lonely here. Yes, I can go to the communal area, but it feels like it’s really not the same as the A&E unit – people here are focused on activities, watching tv, sometimes talking and it’s an effort I don’t want to make.

I’d easily give up our tea and coffee making facilities and the food we get in here (it really is good) to go back to the Observation Unit for at least a couple of days.