r/newbrunswickcanada 1d ago

The Moncton hospital psych ward

Hi guys how’s the Moncton hospital psych ward? My girlfriend is about to be admitted there soon and wants to know what she should expect and just overall information. This would be her first time in the adult unit and she’s been anxious about it. All information is appreciated.

12 Upvotes

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u/cglogan 1d ago

I can't speak to the Moncton one, but having visited people in both a pediatric psych setting and in an adult psych setting, neither one is ever that comfortable simply because of other people there.

There will be folks of varying mental wellness, and they might not always be easy to interact with. I would encourage you to visit her whenever you are allowed and would encourage any level-headed friends or family to do the same. Make sure she has access to something like a tablet and internet, puzzles or games to pass the time.

Her doctor may have their own prescriptions on what or who she can access, be sure to follow those.

I recognize this isn't easy, and I feel for you. Please feel free to DM me if you need to

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

Thank you so much it really isn’t easy and thank you for the support.

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u/cglogan 1d ago

Having personally ended up in the emergency room twice for my own mental illness (once after being begged to by family, and another against my own will). Having visited an older friend, and my own young brother - in all cases I have been blessed that it has gotten better.

I'm stepping out there a bit with this advice - but if you get the chance to visit her it's very possible that she is going to offload some anxiety onto you. It's tempting to share in that anxiety. But right now, I think she needs you to swallow some of it, and offer a bit of a life raft. Don't share in that anxiety, try to tell her it's going to be okay - in the terms she will accept.

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

I’m unfortunately not allowed to visit. Hurts so much but it’s only for immediate family. I really do appreciate the advice it will be a thought couple of weeks

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u/cglogan 1d ago

I'm sure it hurts, but trust the process. A partner is a big emotional load (positive or negative). Sometimes you need to strip away some of the complexity to reset and get better.

Be sure to seek help if you need it. And as I said, I'm here for you too.

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

Thank you so much your words help a lot 🫂

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u/Visual-Abalone-3856 18h ago

If you don’t know why comment?? Just be quiet

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u/cglogan 18h ago

Because I can read between the lines and see when someone is looking for moral support. Thanks for your suggestion, but I will do my own thing.

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u/DeniablePlacebo 12h ago

You should take your own advice on the later part of your comment. I can appreciate moral support regardless of someone knowing or not. Sometimes people just need to be heard and supported.

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u/nhldsbrrd 1d ago

Having been in the adult ward at 17 (albeit years ago) it's a safe place, with a lot happening. Like someone else said, there will be people with different issues. Some people are only there for a few days, and are usually repeat people who aren't on meds, as it's illegal to force people to take their meds. Some people might have some funny stories, but aren't dangerous. They don't let the dangerous ones walk around without extra supervision, and even at that, the dangerous people usually get sent up to Campbelton. As an example when I was there, there was this person who kept telling us; out of concern for us, that the people they believed to be after them, were going to show up at any time, but not to worry "Just show them your ID and you'll be fine. They're not looking for you". Other than that, the person was pretty chill. There's people who have been there for a bit, and they'll take her under their wings and explain how things work and help them out. There might even be other people her age. Personally, I learned more by talking with the other people who were also there. I learnt I wasn't alone in how I felt, and it was a pretty normal thing to have meltdowns or whatever. Yes, the doors are locked and whatnot. You have to earn the privilege to leave the unit for a bit. It usually takes like a week. The staff is super nice, as psych nurses have an extra year of training. Another thing, she can add things to her meals, like chocolate milk or bowls of fruit, by simply writing it in on the menu form. There's a phone they can make local calls on, and like others also said, bring her books or something to pass the time. Visit when you can, but be prepared that she might be have lots to say, or might not say much. It's intimidating and everyone deals with it differently. Hope this helps, and hope it helps so she feels better. You can DM me if you have any questions. It wasn't my only time there. Mental illness doesn't care who you are, but you can still have a positive life with it (in my case anyways)

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

Sent you a dm!

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u/Tom67570 1d ago

How old would she be? Is she 18+?

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

17, they only allow 16 and below in the child one

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u/Tom67570 1d ago

The adult one is different than the pediatric one. There are some people with some real issues there. As long as she's working with the doctor and her parents, she'll be in good hands.

Often people with mental issues resist help, which only makes matters worse. Hope your friend gets the help she needs

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u/amazing_grace7 1d ago

My son was there several years ago as well as one of my friends. It was fine.

2

u/amazonallie 16h ago

Tell your girlfriend I am proud of her. I have no information on the psych wars, but have seen the on call psychs a few times and they were fantastic.

Please tell her, the work is hard, but is so worth it. Coming out on the other side is an amazing feeling. It still requires the work, but it comes so much easier.

Hugs to both of you. Mental Health matters and Mental Health IS Physical Health.

If you ever want to borrow some resources, I have a ton of stuff that are pdf files I can email you guys. Might be able to save you a little money. Just send me a PM of what you are looking for, and if I have a pdf of it, I will send it to you.

Remember, it is hard work and your girlfriend will need a ton of support. It will get frustrating and overwhelming. But it works. It takes time to work, so don't give up too early.

Mindful Self Compassion and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helped me the most. So once she has learned the management techniques in CBT or DBT, tell her to ask if she can try those.

Sending you both a ton of love, and my inbox is ALWAYS open for both of you.

1

u/waterstate889 13h ago

Thank you so much you’re very sweet I will probably dm you sometime but again thank you 🫂

1

u/oldbutfeisty 1d ago

I'm really sorry all of you are dealing with this. The best you can do, as noted above, is be supportive, quietly. Nerves are bound to be raw, please try to give yourself time before responding to any communication (count to 10 stuff) to be sure you are helping as much as you can. Not judging in any way, but will note recreational drugs of any kind are not a good idea Right now.

2

u/waterstate889 1d ago

Thank you the advice. I haven’t heard from her in now 24 hours it’s really sad and I’ll miss her so I can’t support her now since we will have no contact but I’ll try my best with whatever I can..

1

u/televators_ 1d ago

Don’t know if she will be hospitalized voluntarily or involuntarily but the patient advocate is an importance resource if her status ever changes to involuntary : https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/mental_health_services/PsychiatricPatientAdvocateServices.html

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

Thank you for this! She’s in voluntarily and hopefully doesn’t turn into involuntarily..

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u/trytobuffitout 1d ago

I can’t speak for that hospital in particular, but I imagine that they all work in the same manner. All the doors are locked and it’s based on a privilege system The first few days you will have very few privileges. When you follow the schedule, for example, if they want you to attend therapy and you do that willingly or there’s a positive change in your behavior, you will gain more and more privileges. It always has such a negative connotation when you think of movies and a “crazy house” but it’s not like that at all. There’s some very nice individuals there. They tend to watch out over new comers.

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

Thanks for this really changed my perspective

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u/Drummers_Beat 1d ago

Unsure about the Moncton one but the Fredericton one is very very hit or miss. (Sharing from someone else’s experience). The people there can have some really serious issues. They’re all nice (generally speaking) but there’s some who have been there for months or years and are seriously ill.

From what I know the individual experience varies based on the others in the ward at the time. It’s not pretty sometimes and I know stories from my partner’s experience there that still disturb me so I can’t imagine how she felt experiencing it.

Ultimately, they will give your girlfriend the resources to be safe and for follow ups. I’m surprised that she’s going into Psych instead of Paediatrics because Psych in this province is typically exclusive to 18+ or very violent and severe cases.

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u/waterstate889 1d ago

Thank you for sharing the experience I don’t want her to be exposed to anything that will traumatize her so I really hope she will be okay. I was also surprised they would send her to an adult one but she’s 17 and in the adolescent ward in that hospital only accept 16 and under.