‘St Andrew’s saved my life’: Woman looks to the future after treatment in Northampton

Char, 32, from Manchester, is preparing to move into supported living after two and a half years at St Andrew’s following a prolonged stay in a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) elsewhere and a series of unsuccessful placements.

When she arrived in Northampton, Char said she was self-harming, spending most of her time in bed and struggling to eat or drink. She described feeling hopeless and unable to imagine a future.

“I felt completely desperate,” she said. “I didn’t feel worthy of life and I didn’t believe I would ever get better.”

Char, who has diagnoses of emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and autism, began taking part in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) as part of her treatment.

She said that within a few months she began noticing a change.

“I started to realise it was working. DBT guided me on how to regulate my emotions and tolerate distress. It reduced my need to self-harm and helped me see that I could live a life without it.”

Alongside therapy, Char said the support she received from staff and fellow patients helped her regain confidence and reconnect with others.

“The team have transformed my life,” she said. “I came in here completely broken, and I’m leaving almost healed. St Andrew’s has saved my life.”

As she prepares for her next step, Char hopes to volunteer, take a college course and become more involved in her local community, including joining a crochet group.

Reflecting on her recovery, she added: “I actually feel like I can live my life now and live it happily. I can spend more time with my family and use the skills I’ve learned to cope with everyday stresses.

“It’s scary at first, but what you gain from it far outweighs any fears. Take the leap and give it a go.”