Are our Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) in the UK tailored for our mental health? Or are they only for our physical health?
I am Antonio Ferreira. I am a mental health activist and anti-racism campaigner. My endeavour is aimed at changing the way the UK views and addresses mental ill health, particularly within minority communities. I write this article considering the recent experiences I’ve faced in A&E.
I am not writing this article to shame accident and emergency departments. Instead, I intend to raise awareness of some of the bad experiences and use these experiences to motivate society towards a better understanding that will provide better outcomes for all individuals.
Nobody should have to beg for support. In my case, as a promoter of seeking support — I cannot emphasise enough the need for reform towards the support provided during a mental health crisis within A&E — to not increase the fallacy that individuals with mental health issues are not worthy of support.
Recently, I was faced with extreme neglect when attempting to gain support during a mental health crisis at an A&E department. Since I was a young teenager in mental health services, I had it drilled into me that if I felt unable to keep myself safe, I should take myself to A&E for support. I have practised this again and again and, for years, this has worked out in my best interest. Ergo, I genuinely advocate for seeking support — especially in those dark moments when you no longer feel you can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.
Until most recently, I faced the most difficult experience of all my experiences at A&E. As aforementioned, I had had a mental crisis following an experience of an earthquake in Morocco (sorry, no time to indulge you in the details of an earthquake experience). Upon returning home, I was troubled with still fresh memories of that experience. So, I knew it was time to do what I’ve always done best: seek support. As I presented myself to Accident & Emergency, I was met by the receptionist to whom I explained (very articulately, if I do say so myself) how I felt and what I was experiencing. To cut another article short, unfortunately, this time, my needs were not met. Instead, I was neglected and not attended to. As a result, I had to manage and cope on my own. Additionally, I was defamed to be portrayed as violent, aggressive, and intimidating.
As an individual who has worked with the Media, Schools, Workplaces, Charities, and the Government to break down the perpetual stigma surrounding mental health in minority communities, I do not believe I got this far by being an individual who is violent, aggressive, and intimidating.
The NHS has displayed research on violence within acute medical hospital settings. In that research, the results portrayed that at least 80% of assaults against staff were due to an individual's clinical condition at that moment and not intentional or reckless behaviour. The individuals in those situations need clinical interventions to address their medical conditions and unmet needs.
Again, I want to make it very clear that I am not writing this article to shame A&E departments. Instead, I intend to raise awareness of some of the bad experiences and use these experiences to motivate society towards a better understanding that will provide better outcomes for all individuals. Together, we work better towards positive change.
It is my due intention to begin campaigning for better treatment within "acute medical hospital settings" for those with mental ill health. Let this article be the gun that goes off at the start of a race.
Furthermore, the NHS, including its staff, is under constant pressure. I am not pointing the finger, then passing the buck and piling the pressure. I am open-palm, holding my hand out and asking for an opportunity to change what one may not realise when attempting to look out for others. Community and individual experiences are pillars of our development. Without these, we could not improve, as we would be completely blind to our environment, our actions, and their effects on others. Nor would this article be of any interest!
To end, I would like to remind all readers, firstly, don’t stop seeking support — support is available — and that everyone is entitled to support. Yes, I had to beg for support, but don’t forget that support did eventually arrive and because of that support, I am here able to share my experiences and motivated to change the way the UK views and addresses mental ill health. Of course, without errors, we activists, advocates, and changemakers, would cease to exist. So, maybe it is possible that our A&E departments were inconsiderate of mental health. But that is no reason for it to have to remain the same.