Stories of sanity
From behind the scenes of emergency care
This blog shares real stories of people who have come into contact with emergency psychiatric care. Some are heartbreaking, some sad, and others unexpectedly funny—but all offer a glimpse into the deeply human side of mental health. These are stories of ordinary individuals from every corner of society, revealing not only their struggles and resilience but also the way our communities view and respond to mental illness. Through their experiences, we can learn important lessons about empathy, stigma, and attitudes to mental health and care.
Disclaimer: All stories and characters featured in this blog are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or to actual events, is purely coincidental. These narratives are intended for educational and reflective purposes only. They are not meant to diagnose, treat, or replace professional mental health support.
John is a businessman. Unlike his two brothers—both currently in jail—and his father and grandfather, who were convicted murderers, John managed to stay out of serious trouble. Determined to rise above his family’s dark legacy, he channeled his energy into building a series of successful ventures. His most recent endeavor was running a renowned restaurant in the heart of a major city.
At the height of his career, however, John’s life took a darker turn. He began consuming up to three grams of cocaine a day, often served to him on a silver tray by his personal security detail. Restless and brimming with ideas, he found sleep elusive—until, inevitably, he crashed.
Lately, he’s been haunted by a voice urging him to end his life, a torment that only subsides when he uses. It became clear he needed a break—not just from business, but from the life spiraling around him.
Jack came from Australia. One day he walked from one side of the city to the mountains, walking around 20 miles. He slit his wrist and immersed himself in a stram. It was January and the water was freezing. After bleeding for a while he became severely hypothermic and decided to walk and knock on the nearest houses door. He came in and I gave him my socks.
Here she is, causing chaos at the A&E. Brought there by ambulance under the influence. PCP. It’s not an excuse but surely we feel her pain learning about her childhood sexual abuse.