Supported housing possibility.

[frenchhorn]

I haven't been on RYL in ages. I've been struggling a lot and this last week everything just got worse. I was admitted to hospital Friday evening voluntarily and was discharged Monday, yesterday morning the admission was a complete waste of time the psych I saw today jut said he couldn't do anything really and just said my psych can deal with everything. So he discharged me. I then saw my psych at 1pm as planned. She was very concerned and wanted me back in hospital but because I'd only been discharged earlier that same day there were a lot of people to get passed and they didn't agree with it. Although someone is ringing me tomorrow to assess me. Then my psych has made an appointment for me on Wednesday.
My psych has agreed with me that going on the depot is a good plan. She said I definitely need a care co-ordinator again but the CMHT keep rejecting me and I had to complain about my old cc and then they discharged me saying o didn't need another cc. My psyc completely disagrees.
She also mentioned the thought of done sort of supported housing where there are people there 24/7 but it's not a hospital and where I'll do therapy too. I don't know anything about supported housing and was wondering if anyone could tell me what it is like, obviously I realise they are all different but I would just like to get the gist of what they are like. I'm thinking it could be a good idea but want to know as much as I can before I make a decision.

[when.will.it.end]

I was in a 24 hour supported hostel for 8 months. It was really helpful. Basically there were a number of staff on during the day and one stayed overnight, you could wake them up if you needed to. It was a third sector organisation so they didn't have your notes but they were in close contact with the mental health team and came to CPAs and what not. They basically helped with everything; money, mental health, practical things. At mine you could pretty much have as many 1:1s as you needed but also had teh freedom of being able to come and go unlike hospital. They can manage medication if needed. It's basically like hospital in the level of support you get but there aren't th same restrictions and because of this you have to take responsibility of yourself. There were 5 other residents with various issues and mental health problems. It was a bit like a therapeutic community in that you cooked together in the evening and were expected to do cleaning daily (which was a bit annoying if you had other things to do but understandable that you contributed). Downsides were you don't have that much time to yourself but that also means you weren't isoalted and you obviously got your own room.

Is there anything specific you want to know? All places are going to be different so I can't predict what yours would be like but that's the general gist. Overall it helped me loads and I've not been in hospital since (although I've only been moved out for 6 weeks!). You can work on a lot of issues whilst you're there and really improve your mental health and gain independence.

[frenchhorn]

Are you allowed to stay away for a few nights or have someone stay over? I wouldn't want to go into one and not be able to see my boyfriend they often or stay over at his sometimes.
I'm worried because I really don't do other people well and find others very confusing (I'm suspected of having Aspergers and am being referred for an assessment) I also need a lot of time alone and need my own space to regain energy from social interactions. Would they let you go to things like the gym and stuff and say you wanted to go out for the day (I love hiking and camping) in just worried it will take away my freedom and as much as it sounds very useful to do therapy where there are people 24/7 I'm just not sure if the negatives would out way the positives. I don't want the few good things in my life, like my boyfriend and my love of being in the countryside and hiking taken away from me. although I know it wouldn't be forever but several months a year however long is still too long. I don't know really I think on the one hand it's a really good idea but on the other I'm scared of losing my independence. I get very distressed when I can't do what I want when I want.
Thank you for replying.

[when.will.it.end]

It won't take away your freedom, the idea is to help you gain more independence so I don't think they would have an issue with you going to the gym or whatever. I went swimming whilst I was there, went to uni, did voluntary work etc. and they saw this as positive. In terms of having someone to stay at mine the person I wanted to have over had to get to know everyone first which I
was a bit of a pain. They had no issue with me staying out and going places but I'm guessing that would depend on how you are. I very much need my own pace so I didn't interact with the other residents much and the staff were a buffer between me and them. I think you would be expected to engage with the staff but not residents if you didn't want to.

Hope this helped a bit. I can clarify anything if needed.

[random.swirls]

Every supported housing is different and the level of support given would depend if your in high medium or low support accommodation.

Some supported housing will say no visitors others will have varying levels of visitors involved.

I've heard good and bad things about them. And there timate goal where I live is to get you living independently so the skills are focused on living skills more than therapy. I've been offered them twice and my care coordinator and I agreed it wouldn't be suitable for me and i would find it challenging to say the least but also I can live independently fairly well.

The best thing to do is find out what they would be like and if suitable then go for it!

[Steel Maiden]

I was in medium supported housing for one and a half years and then low supported housing for four years but according to my psychiatrist, I was on that placement for my autism so I can't really help that much. Just to say that low supported housing is very different and my borough is weird so I was in a totally atypical place.

My point is that although I hated supported housing at times, without it I wouldn't be alive today. I can now cook, clean, do basic things to keep myself going, and I'm living in my dad's second house (alone) and I'm in uni.

Moving into supported housing can be scary but it can help too. And moving out need not be the end of it all. I have a few hours of support at home twice a week from an autism charity and I have a full time support worker at uni.

It's hard initially to work out the right support, but once it is all established, it can help a lot (although my carers were pseudo-carers, but I'm sure yours won't be).

[pixiedust]

I live in supported accommodation though I don't know whether it's classed as medium or low support. There's staff here most of the time though it's based on people's need at the time. They help with emotional support, cooking & living skills, helping you to fill your time such as getting into work/volunteering/education/groups & any other help you might need. Where I am you can have as much space as you like, all they ask is you attend your support times. I'm allowed to stay over night at my family's & have been on holiday with my friend, I just have to let them know in advance so they don't worry where I am. They want you to work towards living independently successfully so encourage anything that will help that. I can't have overnight guests but can have friends over during the day. I would suggest that you ask to have a look around wherever they suggest for you as every place is different & you can geta feel for the place & ask any questions you have. Being here has really helped me & I'm looking into living fully independently for the first time but with floating support. If you get the chance I would definitely have a good look into it & if you think is the right choice for you then go for it. Good luck & hope things improve for you soon.