4:14

At 4:14 the phone rang.

Unknown number

But I knew...

The nurse explained

There had been a mistake

The psychiatrist had not authorized Service User's 'leave'

I was asked to bring him back..

So he could See a psychiatrist tomorrow...

As I said no

In any and all manner of middle-class, well spoken, polite ways..

As I spoke 

I began to shake with rage.

The nurse was adamant

My refusal was absolute.

She said she would send transport

At which point I made it clear that we would be out of the house.

When the call ended I screamed with fury

The way we have been treated is appalling.

We naively went to that hospital expecting help. We were made to feel useless, helpless and disempowered.

Told that if he didn't take his SSRIs he would be sectioned...

And now we really know what their help is....We are going for full discharge. 

This experience has profoundly challenged my comfortable assumptions about mental health providers, and the people who care at home for loved ones suffering crises.