I'm new to this forum. I was doing an online search for a particular therapeutic community, and came across your forum through that search, so after reading a few posts, decided to become a member.
I have been under a CMHT for a few years now, and they are talking about me becoming a day member of Main House, in Birmingham.
I have heard so many terrible things about Main House. I know a few people who have been there, and they have all told me that no one gets better there, that everyone ends up getting referred onto other communities after so long, because it just doesn't work there, and that it would be a waste of time me going there.
However, my psychiatrist and cpn are adamant I should go there.
My partner, who is in a different community right now, also in Birmingham, suggested I get something called an MPI test done, and try to get into a community in Surrey, called The Castle, because they would apparently, in her opinion, be much better for me.
My problems are more mental than physical, in that I have a mouth on me, a nasty mouth, and can and do get verbally aggressive and violent with my mouth, very nasty, angry, and do say the most hurtful things without even realising it at the time. I also don't seem to know how to treat people. I think i'm doing the right thing to help people, but I end up doing more harm than good.
It's in her belief, and mine too to be honest, that maybe I need to be reschooled, as regards to my behaviour, to learn again how to talk to people and treat people.
I also self harm, in that I pull my hair, bang my head against walls, thump my head, and drink vodka and overdose if i'm even worse, when I am rejected, or feel like my partner is leaving me, or does leave me, not realising it's because of me they choose to go, and so I need a full retraining type thing, where I can get out of these patterns, and get better, and be a better person, once and for all.
So, my questions to the group are:-
Can I get an MPI done with my own money? If so, how much does it usually cost, and where can I go?
Has anyone got anything good to say about Main House?
How hard/easy is it to get into the Castle? Is it the right place for me?
Can anyone understand my condition, and why I feel I need help, to stop being abusive to my partner and others, and is it possible I can get better from this, and change my way of being? And am I right in thinking that a community is the only way I can learn to change my ways?
I appreciate you reading this post, and hope that someone can help me.
i went to Main House and can only say that i found it a wonderful place and made a huge difference to my life. i felt safe, validated and listened to there, even though life there could be incredibly difficult and intense. it's true that many people don't complete the programme, and also that people who do, it can take a while for the benefits to really show.
i'm not "better". but i'm a lot better than i was - used to self harm severely and frequently being in A&E at least once a week. i've only been in A&E twice since i completed the programme 10 months ago. also i think i've grown and matured and that has helped me to get help when i need it, whereas i didn't feel taken seriously by services before.
maybe you would prefer to go to The Cassel - i've heard good things about there too. try not to rule Main House out of the picture though.
(i was in the residential part of Main House, and know that the structure has changed since i left, so i'm not sure about the day TC).
I dont know what you mean by an MPI. Can you explain?
Thank you controlfreak and whirlpools for your help.
I've been told an MPI is a test that is done, which shows your severity in a number of areas. It comes in two parts, a question and answer thing, where you're asked numerous questions, and have to answer true or false to them, not written, but a spoken test (questions like 'true or false, you feel your life isn't worth living' etc), and the second is the ink blot test.
Apparently you have to have these both done before you go into a place like a community, so they know what they have to work with, and whether they can help you.
Heyy,
I think going to somewhere like ones of those houses would be a good idea. Though I wouldn't believe everything that people say about main house, just because they didn't get better when they were there doesn't mean you won't. I can't comment on the MPI test because I don't know what one is, lol. I can understand why you would want help. It's such a positive step that you want to get better and become a better person. Take care, you can get through this. xxx
I don't know much about TC's or the MPI thing you've asked about, so sorry I can't be of much direct help but I just wanted to let you know I looked on the website from the link above and was impressed by the stuff they've written. I really strongly recommend taking full advantage of a decent opportunity toget better. I have a lot of respect for the way you're going about it; it's really important to make sure that they are actually going to be good and not just take your doc's word for it.
im in connect now and i did a mpi their very good and staff here go from results to decide your therphy progame and if you fit their ctitea to work here if you get the change to go to a tc i take it i was at the henderson 2yrs ago before it closed which is the sister of main house i dion well dnt get on there and find connect alot better support and the therphy work here is btr but everyone has diff needs so you may be fine at main house
I've been onto Main House today, and am waiting for a call back from someone who can apparently help me.
I'm having a meeting with my Psychiatrist in a couple of weeks, so will fight my corner then also.
I've also been onto The Cassel, and have them sending me the info about them as well.
My CPN feels that I may not get the funding I require, as they would argue about me going to somewhere more local, but i've advised her i'm going to be going to a Solicitor, if I don't get the funding, or if i'm not offered The Cassel, so fingers crossed I can get something shifting in a couple of weeks.
Still waiting to find out about the MPI test though, waiting to see if someone can do it. My CPN is going to contact my Psychiatrist and speak to him about it. I would talk to him, but he's a bit of a nob, and never speaks to me, only through my CPN.
I am fully aware of the help that Connect offer, and I am unable to attend that facility, for personal reasons, so hopefully I will be able to attend The Cassel instead, and get the help I need through them.
I've impressed upon my CPN how serious I am about all this, and she's realised, after a few years of being under her, how strong minded i've become, and how much I know for once what is wrong with me, and what I need to do in order to get better, for myself, and to hold onto my partner, to treat her like she's meant to be treated, and others also, so this is my way forward.
goodluck sad you cant go toconnect its good here but im sure the others will be just as good for you i was goin to go to the cassel is inn a lovely area goodluck x hope i didnt upst you by sayin im at connect?
you've not upset me, i just can't go there, i have connections with that place, which means i cannot have any association with the place at all. i have begun the fight for the cassel though, and i'm seeing my psych in april. was supposed to be march, but he's rescheduled, and i'm p*ssed, cause he's fully booked now til my appointment, and i can't even get a cancellation. not amused! better late than never though.
The blue one for Main House? Yes I got that one, and it's not very welcoming to be honest, and not very informative. It's not answering my questions, unlike the green The Cassel booklet, which does, which is why i'm more warming to The Cassel.
I can understand why you would want help. It's such a positive step that you want to get better and become a better person. Take care, you can get through this. xxx
