On the Ward

S3 Ep7 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as psychosis, extreme self-harm and discussions around complex mental which some listeners may find triggering. 

For four years Kathleen has been a patient at St Andrew's Healthcare in Northampton but after receiving treatment for some serious self-harming incidents she is finally ready to move on to her community placement on a farm.

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S3 Ep6 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as psychosis, troubled childhood and discussions around complex mental which some listeners may find triggering. 

Yusuf came to St Andrew’s Healthcare during the pandemic and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was nothing like the sort of place he had imagined. He now spends his time playing the keyboard, swimming, studying for his maths GCSE and volunteering in a local charity shop. 

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S3 Ep5 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as self-harm and eating disorders which some listeners may find triggering.

Saffron has been in mental health services for a decade, but the 19-year-old has turned a corner while at St Andrew’s Healthcare and is determined this will be her last time in a psychiatric hospital. Now, she is focusing on making plans for the future, which include going to college and training to work within the field of mental health.   

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S3 Ep4 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as self-harm, psychosis, depression which some listeners may find triggering. 

Sedona keeps busy during her stay at St Andrew’s Healthcare by making up care packages for children who are also staying in hospital. She also has a lot of hobbies such as playing cello, swimming and tennis. During this episode she explains how the procedure behind taking leave from the hospital as an inpatient works.

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***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as self-harm and depression which some listeners may find triggering. 

Meet Mark who has been on a recovery journey using autobiographical music therapy during his stay at the secure psychiatric hospital St Andrew’s Healthcare in Essex. During the episode he takes listeners through his record collection, explains how music has helped him and even takes part in a jamming session with his music therapist. 

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 ***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as suicide, rapid cycling bipolar, depression and death which some listeners may find triggering. 

Julie has been a patient at St Andrew’s Healthcare for nearly three years. She has found solace in maintaining the garden there and has become very attached to the mindful activity. However, as the episode moves on, Julie discloses she has been given a community placement elsewhere and she leaves the hospital, saying goodbye to podcast presenter John-Barry Waldron, who has also worked with her during her recovery journey.

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***Trigger warning***  Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as substance abuse, child abuse, anger and psychosis which some listeners may find triggering. 

Join Vicky who is getting ready to be discharged from the secure psychiatric hospital St Andrew’s Healthcare in Essex. During the episode she takes presenter and staff nurse John-Barry Waldron to her voluntary job at a nearby wood workshop and bravely discusses how she has overcome her mental health challenges with now a firm focus on her future. 

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**Trigger warning - This episode contains a discussion about suicide.**

As the schools go back after lockdown 3, John explores what education is available to St Andrew's patients, and how this can help with their recovery.

If you like John our host, are interested in developing a career in healthcare you can consider taking healthcare courses as an introduction to your further education.

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In this special edition of our award-winning podcast, we go Off the Ward, and speak to those working and accessing mental health treatment in the criminal justice system.

Find out how the support which St Andrew's is providing is helping address mental health issues and offending behaviours. We also explore whether mental health support can actually reduce crime, as well as looking at the stigma which people on probation may face.

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