In mental health facilities there is usually a morning meeting where all the patients, their attendants, and possibly some other staff meet to discuss everyone's progress. As with just about every other aspect of life, the hospital expects you to perform as a patient. You set personal goals, you do follow-ups, and your behavior is critiqued just as if you were an employee at a job. If you do not meet the expectations that have been set, the negative consequences are quite simple — your stay lasts longer.
During my five hospitalizations, I have seen patients treat meeting time and their personal goals in very different ways. Some patients took the meetings seriously which helped them get discharged in a few days while others had to wait. That resistant behavior probably contributed to their lengthy stays. Now, if you are an adult, and all of the expense that goes into a hospitalization is on YOUR shoulders, make that an incentive to get discharged as soon as possible. If you are a kid, odds are that you will not be the one picking up the check. But it is always good to keep in mind that each hospital day runs about $2,000 to $3,000 dollars. Now, God-willing, you have insurance of some sort and you won't be paying all of this yourself, but it is still a good incentive to take things seriously. Besides, policies have limits on how may hospitalization days a person can have in a twelve month period. It makes sense to use them wisely!
During meeting time make sure to pay attention, take things seriously, and also be supportive of other patients. If you typically have trouble respecting other people, now is the time to work on that skill. Everybody is equal in the hospital and should get treated like the important human beings that they are. So, don't disparage anyone and don't get in any fights.
Remember, the less conflict the better. There will always be some patients who act out, but make sure you are not one of them!
Remind yourself constantly that you are being observed during your entire stay. In the meetings you will be given feedback on those observations, and you will have a chance to give your opinions too. Make sure you always tell the truth, and don't get angry if some criticism doesn't please you. These attendants, doctors, and nurses, are doing their best to get you healthy enough to be discharged. Don't slow your own progress by being impolite or haughty. Your hospital stay is a two-way street, and you don't want to create any red lights that don't need to be there.
You will be given a set of levels to work with. This means that depending on your performance you will move up and down the ladder. The goal is to reach the top level — being discharged! Some people move faster than others, so don't get discouraged if others seem to be progressing faster than you. A typical stay is probably at least a week, but it could be less and it could be more. Some patients manage to do it in a few days, but these folks usually fall into a different category of patient. Perhaps they have been to the hospital a few times before and know how to fast track their progress.
I have been one of those patients. Of course, I've also been the patient who bangs his head on the door of the Quiet Room. You live, learn, and use your experience to your advantage, just like every other part of life. The hospital is no different.
During my five hospitalizations, I have seen patients treat meeting time and their personal goals in very different ways. Some patients took the meetings seriously which helped them get discharged in a few days while others had to wait. That resistant behavior probably contributed to their lengthy stays. Now, if you are an adult, and all of the expense that goes into a hospitalization is on YOUR shoulders, make that an incentive to get discharged as soon as possible. If you are a kid, odds are that you will not be the one picking up the check. But it is always good to keep in mind that each hospital day runs about $2,000 to $3,000 dollars. Now, God-willing, you have insurance of some sort and you won't be paying all of this yourself, but it is still a good incentive to take things seriously. Besides, policies have limits on how may hospitalization days a person can have in a twelve month period. It makes sense to use them wisely!
During meeting time make sure to pay attention, take things seriously, and also be supportive of other patients. If you typically have trouble respecting other people, now is the time to work on that skill. Everybody is equal in the hospital and should get treated like the important human beings that they are. So, don't disparage anyone and don't get in any fights.
Remember, the less conflict the better. There will always be some patients who act out, but make sure you are not one of them!
Remind yourself constantly that you are being observed during your entire stay. In the meetings you will be given feedback on those observations, and you will have a chance to give your opinions too. Make sure you always tell the truth, and don't get angry if some criticism doesn't please you. These attendants, doctors, and nurses, are doing their best to get you healthy enough to be discharged. Don't slow your own progress by being impolite or haughty. Your hospital stay is a two-way street, and you don't want to create any red lights that don't need to be there.
You will be given a set of levels to work with. This means that depending on your performance you will move up and down the ladder. The goal is to reach the top level — being discharged! Some people move faster than others, so don't get discouraged if others seem to be progressing faster than you. A typical stay is probably at least a week, but it could be less and it could be more. Some patients manage to do it in a few days, but these folks usually fall into a different category of patient. Perhaps they have been to the hospital a few times before and know how to fast track their progress.
I have been one of those patients. Of course, I've also been the patient who bangs his head on the door of the Quiet Room. You live, learn, and use your experience to your advantage, just like every other part of life. The hospital is no different.
If you use the Golden Rule in the meetings, which means that you treat everyone else the way you would like to be treated, you'll be fine. Keep in mind that no one is in there without reason. Everybody has their problems and is doing their best to deal with them. Don't extend your stay by mouthing off unnecessarily or giving attendants issues to use against you.
They are interested in seeing you leave, but they do not want to discharge you until you are ready.
They are interested in seeing you leave, but they do not want to discharge you until you are ready.