To think a person being in a mental health unit for six weeks

[Cuttherubbish]

Is quite lengthy admission

Under the Mental Health Act, patients are usually detained either under Section 2 (up to 1 month) or Section 3 (up to 6 months). Both S2 and S3 can be repeated.

Like other said, 6 weeks isn't that long. It was probably an S2 where they were inside for the full month then was discharged halfway through the repeated month.

There are other Sections too, like 1 day, 3 days and separate ones for prisoners who are serving time under a hospital order.

I'm sure it doesn't take 6 weeks to gwt into that sort of state, so in aire ir wouldn't take 6 weejs to 'fix', either. Also medications usually take around the week mark to have an effect?

Just like with physical illness, length of admission depends on the illness and the needs of the patient. 2 days could be needed, months could be needed.

I'm pretty sure s2 can't be repeated, it has to go to S3. I'm surprised that 6 months is normal, I don't know many people who have been in hospital that long. Maybe my local wards are under a lot of pressure

@cam2020 IME it usually takes 3 weeks for meds to build up enough in your system to have an effect.

Op so sorry your dp has bern through this. It is certainly something of significant impact and it is understandable to be worried about him 'rushing' back to his life as if nothing had happened. Also understandable for him to have the impulse to do that. I hope you both have some support around you to help process it all.

I didn't think S2 could be repeated either. It usually lasts up to 28 days and would then be changed to a S3 if appropriate.

Nah 6 weeks is not lengthy. A relative was in hospital several times for at least 4 months each time. I know someone who has been in hospital for over 2 years and is unlikely to be discharged for another 2 years or so. When my relative was in hospital many of his fellow patients were in for stays longer than 3 months.

Not lengthy.
My friend attempted to commit suicide on 3 consecutive occasions. She was sectioned for 18 days each time. She even attempted suicide in front of her young children, she was in such a bad place.
Sadly, she was successful on her 4th attempt. If they'd actually kept her in, she may have not attempted any further and her children wouldn't be motherless.
I'd say 6 weeks should be the minimum. Poor MH care in these extreme events ultimately leads to even more deaths.
Has your husband @Cuttherubbish got a support plan in place for you and him?

I work in one and you can’t say anything with out knowing the case.

You can only be on Section 2 once in any one admission though - if a Section is required longer than 28 days you would regrade to a Section 3 following another assessment from 2 doctors. Section 3 can be renewed every 6 months by the patients consultant psychiatrist

I know patients who have been inpatients for 6+ years between wards and psychiatric rehab units - however these tend to be patients with psychotic disorders/bipolar disorder, occasionally very severe personality disorder with high risks can also have v long admissions

Depends where your admitted, in London my OH is a consultant psychiatrist and an admission is seen as a 'failure'. They will have people out of hospital within days to a week. If folks are in crisis they will get home treatment support. It is rare to spend weeks or months in hospital unless you are waiting support with housing, care package or another placement. I

6 weeks isn't that long tbh, in comparison to how long some people are sectioned or even in as voluntary patients for.

But that said I think your sentiment is right and someone who has been in that position for 6 weeks should take their recovery seriously.

I've just come home after 9 months in a psych ward. So no, 6 weeks is nothing!

If he is in a mental health unit he needs to be there, they definitely don't detain you only for attempting suicide - in fact my hospital sent me home as soon as I was physically well enough and I've heard nothing from anyone since then - and so if he is actually receiving help he must take it!

Unfortunately it was multiple attempts. We also have a young baby and I think that was part of the reason to as stressed looking after him and also our daughter.

Sorry, that was dismissive of me and I regret posting. What I meant was people can have reallllly long stays sometimes. But six weeks is still significant.

No it wasn’t dismissive don’t worry. Hope you’re doing well now.

Some people can be discharged after a day. Some people will spend years in a MHU.
What’s the point of this thread?

Because he’s saying he wasn’t in for long therefore he wasn’t that ill. He minimising the impact it’s had on us as a couple.

Sorry people jumped on you upthread. Mumsnet can be a very hostile environment. Hopefully you’ll continue to get some constructive posts.

@OhGodNotThisAgain from reading the OP's posts the point of the thread is that she's trying to make sense of her partner's admission and how to support him post discharge. I imagine it's a very difficult time for her as she has a small baby as well.

OP- I hope your partner is feeling bette and still getting support from mental health services.

He does have a care team but they won’t say without his consent

@Cuttherubbish If you are concerned you can always share it with your partners mental health team, they would want to know about if you feel he is minimising things - it’s important for risk assessment

Hope things go well for you all

Also you don’t need his consent to GIVE information to his team for a genuine concern. I have collected a lot of information as a clinician this way. It’s only breaking confidentiality if they give you information about him without his consent. Hope that helps

I don't think its lengthly - but how is his care now? are the local MH team supporting him or Mind? in my area (East Anglia) Mind offer a support service to anyone discharged from hospital or the local NHS MH team.