We have a patient who has been here on Center for Psychiatry (CFP) for over one month. She is a patient who came to us with a very traumatic background of abuse from facilities for years per her mother. She can be very violent and when she first arrived would literally take down our nurses by the hair of the head to the floor. She trusted no one, not even her family. Since admission, our team has worked hard to develop a trusting relationship, provide a safe environment, and to build rapport with her. Staff discovered that if certain music is played the patient would sing along while they took care of her. The music kept the patient calm and distracted so the patient did not become violent. She showed joy when listening and singing to the music. The staff discovered her favorite foods and beverages to use as a tool to build trust and to get her to comply with taking her medications. They encouraged her to talk where they could get to know her, to build trust with her so she would know that she is safe here. We have two staff members with the patient at all times. Her family is afraid of her due to her violent, unpredictable behavior.
The mother came to visit recently and asked if it was safe to hug her daughter. We had four staff members at her side for safety just in case. The patient then looked at her mother and stated, "Mom, it is okay if you hug me. These people are not like all the others who hurt me. They are here to keep me safe. When I wake up and see them sitting at my side, I know that they are there to protect me from the voices and the bad people. So, Mom, I want you to come hug me and give me a kiss". The mother went over to her daughter and was able to hug and kiss her.
The mother cried, the staff cried, and it was a very special moment that reminded us why we do what we do here in Mental Health every day. The mother stated that this was the first place that her daughter has ever been that her daughter was treated with dignity, respect, and care. The mother stated that other places treated her daughter like a "wild animal" and never developed a relationship with her where she could make such a powerful statement.
This patient will continue to be unpredictable and dangerous, but the work that our staff has done with her is remarkable. The fact that the patient can actually use the words, "They love me; they are here to protect me; I feel safe here; they don't hurt me like the others; when I wake up at night and see them there I know they are protecting me and most importantly, Mom, you can hug and kiss me; it's okay"... speaks volumes about our staff here on CFP.
I am so proud to be the manager of CFP and these remarkable staff members. I cry every time I tell this story.