Thanks to everyone who has replied!
It's so great to read everyone's helpful experiences, and hopefully will help others who have had little or no experience in the system to see the good that can come from the mental health system.
it's so easy to focus on the short-fallings of the mental health services, but there are some fantastic professionals out there who really make a difference to peoples' lives.
Couldn't have said it better myself Lyndsey :)