My recent visit to A&E was a real eye opener and validated my belief that mental health is at crisis point. Never have I witnessed so many distraught, desperate, poorly people. I found it quite disturbing. 

I went to the hospital at 1am last Thursday as I had severe abdominal pain, I booked in at reception and was told it was a 7 hour wait to see a doctor. So, I took a seat and closed my eyes, I knew it was going to be a long, drawn-out night.  

The shrill voice of a woman in her 50’s made me jump upright. She seemed very confused, disoriented, and was repeating to her partner, “can we go home now; can we go home now,” asking for a cuddle then shouting, “get off me, get off me.” Then, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” This continued for hours with outbursts of hysteria as she was getting more and more distressed. She was eventually seen by a doctor but not admitted, as I saw her leave.  

A young bloke burst in through the doors about 3am. He was hyper, loud, but friendly, he said hello to everyone and made sure he let us know he was a nice guy, but you couldn’t help but feel he could kick off at any time. Then about four security men appeared from nowhere and surrounded him. I felt it was very intimidating for him and could create a situation, but security knew him by name and seemed to know how to handle him.  

He became agitated and displayed threatening behaviour, and when security couldn’t calm him, he was escorted out the door, but where would he go? Why did he come to A&E in the first place?  

Three hours later he returned accompanied by the police, he wasn’t under arrest, they seemed to be keeping him calm. They knew him and seemed pleasant enough but, again, after an hour he disappeared. Two visits in three hours? No medical assessment or treatment? He was obviously suffering with severe mental health problems, but nobody had time for him. I wondered if this was his pattern coming to and fro to A&E this made me feel really sad.  

A man opposite me had a badly bruised face and was obviously drunk, he was crying and muttering to himself. 

I tried to engage with him, as I had been sat in his seat many a time when I was drinking. I mentioned that I was in recovery and found Alcoholics Anonymous a great help. 

He said how depressed he was, he’d lost everything due to alcohol and was sofa surfing, but he wasn’t an alcoholic. Denial is a big part of addiction so I just smiled and changed the subject. 

So where do all these broken people go?  

Who’s there to help them or keep them safe? 

How many of us are living with untreated mental health?