A woman who once spent the festive period in an intensive care unit (ICU) because of significant self-harming is hoping this will be her last Christmas residing in a hospital.

Since her admission into ICU, Chrissy was eventually admitted to St Andrew’s Healthcare where she has been receiving treatment for Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) and Dyspraxia.

When she first arrived, Chrissy was extremely unwell and refused to engage with staff who were there to help her.

More than two years on, Chrissy is preparing to cook Christmas dinner for her entire ward as she has found a love for cooking through her Occupational Therapy sessions.

The 34-year-old said: “I became mentally unwell when my mum died two years ago. She was a huge part of my life and when she left me, I just didn’t know how to get through the grief. It consumed me.

“She passed away in the September and the closer Christmas got, the more unsettled I felt. I was self-harming a lot. At the time, I didn’t really care what happened to me. One day I went too far and I was admitted to ICU. But because they thought I was a danger to myself, I was sectioned.

“I got worse before I got better though. I made a shrine to mum, and I played her songs all the time and I cried and cried.”

Slowly, St Andrew’s staff began to build a rapport with her and she started to trust them. She embarked upon an intensive series of therapy and various other programmes, which helped her to understand her feelings and to find healthier coping strategies.

But, it was only when she was introduced to Occupational Therapist Sarah Jones, when Chrissy realised how much she enjoyed cooking.

Chrissy added: “Cooking relaxes me and I really enjoy doing it. I’m really looking forward to making Christmas Day special for the ward and making nice food, but I am feeling so much better, I would like to be home next year for Christmas.”

Sarah said: “We were very lucky that our OT kitchen was newly kitted out and I was excited to use it. I decided to see if Chrissy might like to join me to do some baking. It took a bit of persuasion at first, but she had a natural flair for it. I can’t keep her out of the kitchen now.

“I am amazed and very proud to see how far Chrissy has come. The fact she’s now planning to cook a Christmas dinner for her fellow patients is heartwarming. She’s planned the entire menu herself, will do all the shopping and of course, she’ll be the head chef on the day.”