Can you imagine for one moment what it must feel like to be hearing voices and feeling paranoid with a newly diagnosed mental health disorder? Now can you imagine being admitted to a psychiatric ward with these frightening symptoms and not being able to speak a word of English? How are you to convey how you feel? How can you understand what is being said to you about your treatment…about anything that is happening to you? The simple answer is you can do neither. Medical or mental health interpreters do exist but are they always used? They cost money and money is tight in the health services and is very expensive for a sufferer to consider.

A member of the family or a friend may speak English and should be able to accompany you, with your permission, to any important consultations or meetings about your care. Sadly, the majority of the time you will be further pushed into a confused state of despair. Imagine not being able to refuse a medication, ask about going home or talk about your fears as these thoughts spring to mind and when there is no interpreter.