The Crisis Area In More Detail
Who Will Be Accepted And How They Will Be Referred:
Individuals experiencing mania/psychosis or in imminent risk of relapse who would prefer an alternative to mainstream psychiatric provision.(subject to mutual agreement that it is the right place) The majority of individuals accepted will have visited previously whilst in good health and hopefully made it part of their Care Plan or Advance Directive – if they are in receipt of Community Mental Health support – or after careful discussion with the individual concerned and anyone else they may wish to be involved such as family, friends,carers etc
Referrals will potentially be from Self-referral, Community Mental Health and the NHS Trust
Dwellings:
Log cabins seemed like a possibility, then we discovered The Lammas Project/Community ( http://www.lammas.org.uk ) and 'cob', low impact buildings – and they look magical, like little 'hobbit holes'!! - somewhere we would want to stay if experiencing mania/psychosis. There is still a problem with planning regulations, but Lammas have set a precedent in Wales so why not here? We envisage them being set out in a circle, forming a kind of 'earth-work', with a central cooking area sheltered by a yurt style tent so the sides could be open in summer but put back in place quickly and easily for shelter/warmth when necessary. This format will aid feelings of security and community - with a large activity/gathering area - without feeling trapped. Also some of the 'cob' structures could be used for storage, art/craft, quiet contemplation/meditation rooms etc.
Health and safety:
Health and safety has become an obsession in our society particularly around the issue of 'risk avoidance'. However it is obviously very important that safety and risk etc are addressed but with an open mind, looking at how to take appropriate controlled risks, where it is agreed that they are likely to contribute to the emotional well being of the individual in a positive way. Also there will be some risks, which if not taken, will make it impossible to offer the form and fundamental ethos of support we envisage. In the twelve years that Soteria House operated for there was not one serious incident that resulted in serious harm to anyone
.
Individuals experiencing mania/psychosis or in imminent risk of relapse who would prefer an alternative to mainstream psychiatric provision.(subject to mutual agreement that it is the right place) The majority of individuals accepted will have visited previously whilst in good health and hopefully made it part of their Care Plan or Advance Directive – if they are in receipt of Community Mental Health support – or after careful discussion with the individual concerned and anyone else they may wish to be involved such as family, friends,carers etc
Referrals will potentially be from Self-referral, Community Mental Health and the NHS Trust
Dwellings:
Log cabins seemed like a possibility, then we discovered The Lammas Project/Community ( http://www.lammas.org.uk ) and 'cob', low impact buildings – and they look magical, like little 'hobbit holes'!! - somewhere we would want to stay if experiencing mania/psychosis. There is still a problem with planning regulations, but Lammas have set a precedent in Wales so why not here? We envisage them being set out in a circle, forming a kind of 'earth-work', with a central cooking area sheltered by a yurt style tent so the sides could be open in summer but put back in place quickly and easily for shelter/warmth when necessary. This format will aid feelings of security and community - with a large activity/gathering area - without feeling trapped. Also some of the 'cob' structures could be used for storage, art/craft, quiet contemplation/meditation rooms etc.
Health and safety:
Health and safety has become an obsession in our society particularly around the issue of 'risk avoidance'. However it is obviously very important that safety and risk etc are addressed but with an open mind, looking at how to take appropriate controlled risks, where it is agreed that they are likely to contribute to the emotional well being of the individual in a positive way. Also there will be some risks, which if not taken, will make it impossible to offer the form and fundamental ethos of support we envisage. In the twelve years that Soteria House operated for there was not one serious incident that resulted in serious harm to anyone
.