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"Mental Health Unit 1"

About: Dandenong Hospital

(as the patient),

I was placed on a treatment order based on claims that I might be a danger to myself or others. This is simply not true. I’ve never had thoughts of harming myself or anyone else. I live a peaceful life and spend a lot of time meditating and focusing on my well being.

Despite that, I was taken to a mental health unit against my will, and what I experienced there was incredibly distressing. From the start, I was treated in ways that felt more punishing than therapeutic. I recall I was forced to sign documents under pressure and feel I was subjected to repeated mistreatment.

I raised concerns multiple times about my neck, which has been a long-standing medical issue for me, but felt I was ignored. Instead of receiving help, my pain got worse, and I now have ongoing damage that’s affected my daily life.

The psychiatrist responsible for my care behaved in ways that made me feel unsafe and constantly targeted. It felt like they had a personal issue with me, and in my opinion, often ignored the needs of other patients just to focus on me.

I was frequently sedated without clear reason, and I believe this was used more as a form of control than care. I often felt like decisions were being made to provoke or punish me rather than help me. I recall even basic needs like food, water, and access to the bathroom were withheld.

At no point did I feel like my wellbeing or rights were being respected. Instead, I felt powerless, unheard, and seriously let down by the system.

What happened to me has left a lasting impact, both physically and emotionally. I’m sharing this because I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did. In my opinion, there needs to be proper oversight and accountability in places like this, so people are treated with the dignity and care they deserve.

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Responses

Response from Care Opinion Australia 2 days ago
Submitted on 17/10/2025 at 1:47 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 1:49 PM


This response has been published by Care Opinion on behalf of Monash Health.

Dear phasesdq48,

It is always disappointing to read of experiences where it is felt that we have not met expectations for consumers and their families. We would welcome contact from you via our email feedback@monashhealth.org, online via the Monash Health website Compliments, complaints and comments | Monash Health, or by calling our main number on (03) 9594 2702.

Direct contact will enable further review of the care provided specifically, and would assist us to follow up with you directly. Alternatively, complaints may also be directed to the Health Complaints Commissioner on 1300 582 113.

In the absence of both patient details and formal written consent to respond, Monash Health is unable to share confidential health and personal information and is understandably unable to meaningfully respond to anonymous complaints.

Kind regards,
Consumer Relations
Monash Health

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