My IMH experience

Finally decided to write this after much procrastination. I am going to share my experience for my IMH stay for people to use as a reference if needed.

Let's start off with why I was admitted to IMH. I was diagnosed with depression, attempted and was sent to KTPH. During my stay in KTPH to stabilise my physical condition, I was informed by their psychiatrist that I will need to be transferred to IMH for follow up, and may need to be admitted to IMH. I cried knowing that I had to be admitted to IMH and was very afraid and uncertain how it would be like. I would frantically search online on people's experiences staying in IMH and couldn't get much info online. On the day of my discharge from KTPH, I was sent to the IMH A&E via ambulance (to prevent me from running away).

- IMH A&E -

After being triaged by the nurses and getting my particulars updated (since my last visit was back in 2018), I was told to wait to see the doctor which didn't take long. I remember being quite nauseous from the ambulance ride and the nurses were nice and offered me water or milo. I was then escorted to see the doctor, who was accompanied by a medical student.

The doctor was nice and informed me that he has already read the notes from my KTPH admission, and although it may seem repetitive, he had to ask some questions on his end and I fully cooperated by answering his questions truthfully. During the session, I cried and the doctor kindly offered tissues for me and waited patiently for me to calm down before continuing.

I was informed that I will need to be admitted because they have to adjust my medications and there is a need for close monitoring, as the side effects of the medication may be unpredictable after my attempt. At this point I remembered that phones may only be allowed with physician's approval, so I asked the Doctor if i could use my phone during my stay and he gave the green light.

- Waiting for the ward -

In the A&E while waiting to be sent to the ward, I was asked to do a urine test and to sit down to wait. After a short while, I was informed that I can be sent up to the ward and financial counselling was done by the PSA. I was to be sent to a C class ward which was not where I wanted to be. I asked if i could be upgraded to B1 class, but was informed that I'm not eligible because of self harm and suicidal tendencies.

- C class ward -

I was wheeled to the C class ward in tears and was brought to the admission room, where the nurses will check my vitals, height and weight, go through my belongings and change me out to the hospital clothes. During changing, I was also checked for wounds and rashes which would need to be photo documented on admission.

All valuables are advised to get family members to bring home, such as bags, clothing, shoes (unless it's waterproof slippers you can wear to shower in), charger.

I could still keep my bag of snacks which would be locked up and only available during 3pm snack time.

My toiletries would also be locked up and will only be brought out if needed during shower time.

They provide waterproof slippers if your shoes are not suitable to be used in the ward.

Chargers are not allowed as there is no place for you to charge your phone except at the nurse's office. I was also made to sign a form regarding phone usage since i was allowed to have my phone. The form basically states that I am allowed my phone from 10am-7pm (but the nurses allowed till 10pm at my ward), no video/photography due to PDPA, will need to let them check our phones if suspected, no watching restricted content and not to share our own device.

They asked me several questions for admission and went through the ward routine with me and showed me around the ward.

I isolated myself for the first day and took the time to update my family on how I was doing, the visiting hours (12-2pm, 5-7pm on weekdays and 10am-8pm on weekends).

Dinner was served at 5.30pm and the food was so bad (no picture added), especially for a picky eater like me. I barely ate a few tiny bites and returned the tray, telling the nurse I have no appetite for the food.. My saviour- I meant my sister came by and got me some chef in a box laksa and I was so happy to finally be able to eat something nice.

At 8pm, i was called in to take my medication. After I did I bid my sister farewell and returned back to where my bed was assigned. I cried reflecting back at my day and I couldn't stop crying. Let me tell you why..

The ward has around 40 patients and we are all using the same shared toilet, one with 3 cubicles in the rest area and one with 2 cubicles in the activity/eating area. so total of 5 toilet bowls. when i went into the toilet cubicles, there were some choked with toilet paper, some with pee on the seats and on the floor, some with poopoo not flushed. i just had to pick the one i could accept most as my bladder was full. oh and please note THERE IS NO BIDET. This toilet situation was too much for me to handle as someone who prioritises toilet cleanliness in a hotel/airbnb or even in public.

So while crying, i was approached by nurses and they told me that if i wanted to go home, i had to stop crying. otherwise my behaviour would be documented and i would have to stay longer. Well...that made me cry more and I ended up crying myself to sleep that night. Didn't sleep well that night as there were patients screaming and fighting the nurses, then getting restrained.

Morning came and i woke up at 7am for shower time. We only get 1 shower a day at 7-8AM, and if we missed the timing, we can only shower the next day. So i quickly grabbed my toiletries, towel and hospital clothes to join the already long line. There were only 4 cubicles to shower for independent patients, while the nurses assisted the patients who needed help at an open shower area.

After my shower, I very quickly put on my clothes and ran out to where my toiletries are kept and quickly put on my skin care and hair products before they were kept away.

I was called to see the doctor soon after, and told him that i did not sleep well and was upset at the situation I'm currently in. I asked questions regarding if this stay is insurance claimable, and if i could be transferred to the private class ward. The doctor had to assess if I had suicidal tendencies or self harm tendencies. After a talk with him, he said he will check with the sayang wellness centre and gain approval before I could be transferred.

It was then time to eat breakfast and I only took a little bit because I had no appetite to eat. Thankfully it was a weekend on a Saturday so my sister is able to come earlier to bring me food. and the next best news came in where the sayang wellness center accepted me. My sister went through a lot of trouble to help me settle the documents needed and the down payment needed in order for me to transfer. I asked the nurse to give me all my belongings and I was finally out of this C class hell hole. understand built me down to SWC with my sister beside me.

- Sayang Wellness centre -

I still remember the first comment I made when the doors of SWC opened. I threw both my hands up and said "yay airconnnnn!" then the nurses ushered me to the admission room to perform the admission process which was similar to what was done back at the c class ward, except I wasn't crying. I was informed to pick two doctors as my primary doctors. I didn't know who to choose and I didn't understand how to look at their qualifications so I just picked the two most good looking doctors.

for my belongings it was the same as the C class what they kept my toiletries and my snacks and told me that if I need any of those I can just reach out to the nurses to get them. I was also informed that I can have as many showers as I like and I just had to ask the nurse for my toiletries, towels, and clothes.

the visiting timing was different here, visitors can come everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

I can take my phone from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

They then showed me to my room and gave me a new set of hospital clothes to wear. It had long sleeves and long pants which were much more comfortable. I was also informed that I could wear home clothes as long as they do not have strings, sadly most of my shorts had strings because FBTs. And here I get to wear my BRAS WHICH WERE AMAZING. I had a roommate and we became friends there. The fact of knowing I'm not sharing a toilet with 40 people feels ecstatic.

afterwards they showed me around the ward, there was an area for dining and for recreational activities, there was also an area for exercise where they had some gym equipment, and for reading where they have some books on the shelf.

over here food was better, i got to choose between 3 different cuisines and i mainly went for western choices. there were cakes and jellies provided during snack times too. And I must say the food was really good and the portions were really big.

instead of isolating myself like I did at the previous ward, I did many activities here. I read books, played some puzzles, did batik painting, and even joined in the zumba sessions with the other patients and nurses in the morning.

the nurses there were very caring especially when I started having my period cramps. They regularly offered me panadol and checked if the pain had gone away. they were very easy to talk to I also chatted with the PSA once in a while, the advanced practice nurse (APN) also came to talk to me after reading my case.

As for my session with my doctor he was very keen to know more about my condition and my history, and he was very eager to help me get better. He was kind and humorous which made it easy to confide in him.

On my second last day at SWC, I ordered Krispy Kreme donuts for the staff because of the kindness, patience and empathy I have experienced from all the staff. And on the day of my discharge, my sister wrote a letter for them and gave them some snacks too.

I'm really appreciative towards the people who helped me get better, including my family who comes to visit me frequently with bubble tea hehe.

To conclude...

don't stay at c class ward if u can afford B1 class at least. speak to your physician and ask to appeal for B1 and A class ward.

and to avoid being restrained..just follow the rules and cooperate and don't act up.

and i know these because i too am a nurse hehe.

edit: for people who have been asking about costs, i stayed at C class for 1 day and B1 class for 4 days. And the total costs came up to ~2.3k after gov subsidies. prior ro transferring to SWC you'll need to make a deposit of ~5.5k.

/Institute of Mental Health

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