A psychiatric hospital, also known as mental health or behavioral health units, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Examples of serious mental disorders include: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, PTSD and more. Many people who experience mental health disorders do not need to seek care from a psychiatric hospital. Often, these disorders can be managed through outpatient therapy and counseling services and medication.

Your treatment consists of attending therapeutic groups, individual sessions with therapists and medication your psychiatrist prescribes. Group therapy is compulsory: we see it as an indication of your commitment to your recovery.

Your treatment consists of attending therapeutic groups, individual sessions with therapists and medication your psychiatrist prescribes.

Certain confidential information is shared with members of the interdisciplinary team during your stay. You are expected to respect the confidentiality of other patients: the only exception is when a fellow patient expresses the need to harm themselves. This must be reported to the relevant nursing staff.

We encourage your family and friends to visit and support you. There are a few rules, though:

• Strictly adhere to visiting times.
• Only two visitors per patient at any time.
• Parcels and packages are permitted, but security and nursing personnel may search them at any time.

There are a number of recreational activities available for patients – please ask at the nurses’ station for details. We recommend that you use facility exercise equipment under a trained professional’s supervision. Any recreational activity that you participate in at the facility is at your own risk.

Self-harm

During your stay in this facility, you may not attempt any action that will result in harm to yourself or other patients.

Relationships between patients

No female patients are permitted in the male sleeping quarters and vice versa. There is no socialising in patients’ rooms. Friendships of a supportive nature are encouraged, but any relationship that is seen to go beyond this point and become intimate will result in the expulsion of the relevant parties from the programme. This also includes intimate relationships between patients of the same gender. No physical contact between patients (hugging or kissing) is permitted.

Smoking

There are designated smoking areas on the grounds, which the nursing staff will point out during orientation. You may not sell or offer to sell tobacco on the hospital premises.

Damage to property

No one may intentionally or negligently destroy or damage the property of the mental health facility or of any other person. Any damages incurred as a result of behaviour of this nature will be for your account and you may be expelled from the programme. Eating is permitted in the dining halls and gardens, but not in the television rooms, therapy rooms, family rooms, bedrooms or reception areas. Please refrain from putting your feet on the furniture or couches.

Abusive behaviour

All fellow patients, staff members and visitors to the unit will be treated with respect and dignity. Any behaviour that is abusive, disrespectful, discriminatory or violent in nature (either actual or implied) will not be tolerated. In addition, any intimidation of any other patient is an unacceptable infringement on their human rights. Any patient participating in this action will be expelled from the programme. Your medical aid will be informed of your expulsion.