Teenagers in a York mental health unit have written a poem about how it feels to be admitted as an inpatient in the middle of a pandemic.
“I’m going to the hospital. I’m worried and scared. People say it will help, but I don’t feel ready,” write the four young people in the mental health unit at Mill Lodge in Huntington, in a poem titled ‘So what’s next? ?
The poem describes the first-hand emotions and feelings of being a young patient admitted to the unit during the lockdown.
“Because of Covid, I am going to the isolation room,” the poem continues. “It’s sad and lonely, I hope to get out soon.”
The poem emphasizes the uncertainty and worry that adolescents feel, but ends on a hopeful note.
“So what’s next? What’s the plan going to be?” She continues.
“It feels really uncertain, it’s so hard to see
As time goes by, I hope and I pray,
“That with kindness and support I can make my own way.”
Mill Lodge is home to eight young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who have significant emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Amy Burn, an occupational therapist at Mill Lodge who helped young hospital patients with the poem, said: “Art and creativity are fantastic ways to encourage young people to express their feelings and connect emotionally with the difficulties they are going through.
“We were thrilled to see our young man rise to the challenge of creating a poem about his experiences, which have been particularly difficult due to all the pandemic-related restrictions we’ve had over the last two years.
“We have also made a sign with some inspiring and positive messages for a local community garden used by young people, which fits very well with this year’s theme of growing together.”
The Mill Lodge Community Garden Sign
Mill Lodge is run by the leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Here is the teens’ poem in its entirety:
So what’s next?
A poem by the youth of Mill Lodge, York
“I’m going to the hospital
I am worried and scared
people say it will help
But I don’t feel ready
by covid
I go to the isolation room
it’s sad and lonely
I hope to leave soon
I have my negative
many new places
it feels overwhelming
so many new faces
So a new routine
to structure my day
got up too early
With many games to play
So what’s next?
What will be the plan?
It feels really uncertain
It’s so hard to see
While time passes
hope and pray
That with kindness and support
I can make my own way.”
