Patient credits ‘compassionate’ staff for helping her begin her new life in the community

A patient who has been within inpatient care since 2018 has just been discharged and has started her new life living in a supported living facility. 

Sally, who has been at St Andrew’s Healthcare since 2020, has credited the “commitment, skill, and compassion of staff” with saving her life.

The 24-year-old has been receiving treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD), anorexia nervosa, and obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD), following multiple admissions across child, adolescent, and adult mental health services.

Dr Victoria Taylor, Lead Psychologist, said: “When Sally first came to St Andrew’s she had to be accompanied by two staff at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She was acutely unwell and had been in previous hospitals who had been unable to help her. St Andrew’s was really her last hope.”

“She was hurting herself on a regular basis, but after she fully committed to nearly five years of our Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) accredited DBT programme, she is now well enough to live in the community.”

Looking back, Sally describes a time when she was unable to protect herself, struggled significantly with eating, and felt overwhelmed by her mental health difficulties.

She said: “I didn’t know how I was going to get better. But the staff didn’t give up on me. When I couldn’t have hope for myself, they held that hope for me.”

Throughout her admission, Sally was supported by a multidisciplinary team who worked closely with her to build trust, promote safety, and encourage gradual engagement in therapy.

Sally said she felt listened to, understood, and supported as an individual, rather than defined by her diagnosis.

“DBT has changed my life. It has helped me cope. But it was the staff delivering it, reinforcing it every day on the ward, and helping me use the skills in real moments of distress that really mattered. They helped me learn how to cope, how to manage my emotions, and how to help myself.”

As her recovery progressed, staff supported Sally to take increasing responsibility for her safety, build independence, and plan for life beyond hospital. She has now been discharged from St Andrew’s and is settling into her new supported living placement.  

“I’ve missed out on a lot of normal life while I’ve been in hospital,” she said. “The staff here helped me believe that I still deserve a future - and that I’m capable of having one.”

Reflecting on her care, Sally expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported her throughout her journey.

“The staff at St Andrew’s honestly saved my life - both physically and mentally. Their care, kindness, and belief in me kept me going. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Sally’s story can be viewed here.