Professor Marie Bashir Centre - Camperdown, New South Wales

Marina A.

To the Team of Professor Bashir Marie,

I’m writing this message out of deep frustration, disappointment, and emotional exhaustion. Seeking help for my mental health has become one of the most challenging, confusing, and disheartening experiences I’ve ever had — and I truly never imagined that asking for support could feel this impossible.

There was one occasion when a social worker contacted your team, and I was told I would be admitted for as long as I needed. At the time, I was not in a stable state and instead presented to RPA Emergency, where I was told a psychiatrist would see me the following day. I was overwhelmed, placed in a bed directly in front of the waiting area, and unable to rest or feel safe. I ended up leaving.

Since then, I’ve tried countless times to get in contact with your service. Each time, I was met with conflicting instructions — from your team, from the Mental Health Line, from GPs and psychologists who emphasized the urgency of my case. I followed every step I was told to take. In the end, I was instructed to present in person to the Assessment Health Unit — a full two weeks later.

When I arrived shortly before 6 PM with two other patients, we waited until midnight to be seen by a doctor, followed by another hour before I was offered a temporary bed. I wasn’t given my medication, and I couldn’t sleep. The next day, I was evaluated by a psychiatrist who — despite acknowledging how unwell I was — began to speak of discharge almost immediately. That same day, I had a session with the psychologist Megan, who was kind and thoughtful, but informed me that unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to stay as long as I needed — despite the fact that my psychologist and GP both supported a three-month mental health leave and recommended inpatient care.

What struck me the most was being told:

“I’m not going to gaslight you — yes, there is bed pressure. You can choose not to go to work, but you cannot choose to stay at the hospital.”

At that moment, I dissociated. The system had failed me again. I’ve done everything I could — asked for help, shown up, followed directions, provided documentation. And yet I was met with bureaucracy, contradictions, and what felt like a push to move me along instead of truly support my recovery.

If you are genuinely in crisis and feeling unsafe, my painful advice is: this is not the place to turn to. You won’t be taken seriously. Your pain may not be heard.

That said, I want to acknowledge that the nurses were incredibly kind, and I am grateful for their warmth and support — and for Magie, the gentle therapy dog, whose presence brought more healing than words can say.

But this system needs to change.

Matt J.

“Dues Pascit Corvos”
This is the worst mental institution I have come across, professionally as a correctional officer in service to our community or as a security manager.

Barbaric and quite frankly illegal practices. I was literally tortured here and these “people” allowed my de facto to be subjected to some of the worst possible conditions as an Australian Citizen. They should fire everyone and retrain them in diversity and NSW government legislation. I literally cannot work because of the PTSD inflicted from these people. I fundamentally refuse all treatment from this institution and the acute care team at Camperdown.

Believe all the 1 star reviews. I was not allowed any pain medication for my autoimmune disease. Refused access to a toilet, asked to drink my own urine, refused all free access to outside. My father died of brain cancer and I am super concerned about all the forced medication I was given. On the middle floor I was subjected to constant cigarette smoke. Who runs a government building where you can just smoke. I’m looking at everything from the “dungeon” to the top and acute ward where conversion therapy was apparently a reasonable option to my sexuality and attraction to my partner. I did meet some ok nurses but as the lovely Irish nurse said “anyone a bit sparky they just dose up”

All because people were scared of losing their jobs. Well congratulations Marie Bashir Clinic I get ptsd every time I even get checked for my opal card. Please respect my wishes and my right to privacy.

The only reason I ended up here is because two cis female ambulance officers wanted an easy shift and refused to listen to me when I said I would never harm anyone especially not my partner. RPA emergency is bad enough but the insult to the sacrifices I made during the second wave of Covid is something I’ll never ever be able to get back. I swear this on my grand father’s medals and my father’s ashes. On gods hammer I did not deserve whatever abuse that I suffered here. Mania, Bipolar, bisexual or whatever else. I simply have been the victim of systemic abuse from the age of 8 and was able to function quite well until my brain was cracked open with lithium. What’s even crazier is my ex wife had such control on my care I had to get my partner to sneak my uniform shirt in. Completely harmless as it only has the queens crown and not the kings. However the staff here are oblivious to basic human rights so who knows.

It is obvious I am not welcome anywhere near where my children were born so I’ll simply just get my uk passport and leave. Apologies for referring to the “red lady” of my homeland or anything else resembling actual facts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this review. I found Kiloh at POW to have a much better nurse culture. They treated me like a human. Personally I feel it’s because they are used to seeing corrections officers around and are not so focused on the colour of my skin or my response to chronic pain that was repeatedly ignored.

Make no mistake I have spent enough money on my own education that I could have bought a house in this economy. I am still stunned that you can be taken from your own house on one phone call or seeking help from police.

Probably why I don’t feel safe near this place. Most of my own drug and psych knowledge comes from Dr Adam Winstock. I believe he wrote most of the drug policy in NSW and works currently in the uk.

Attached is my little piece of metal I got and the pesky cigarettes that I couldn’t handle.

I hope all the Netflix shows were worth the trouble.

Matthew Lewis John (1020845)

Chrissy

I've been to quite a few Psychiatric wards through my 22 years living with chronic mental illness and this is by far the best Sydney has to offer. Western Sydney is just horrid. The mental health system is overwhelming broken and the government have failed us. If you are unwell this is the only place I would take myself or a loved one. The rest of them are akin to a prison, and have barely evolved past labotomies.

Australia needs to do better.

Jennifer D.

I don’t know what happened to my first post so I’ll post again. I suffer from depression, anxiety and PTSD. My mail antagonist is living with my mum and brother (thanks rental crisis and the cost of living crisis). I’m a 51 year old widow. Whilst living at my mum’s my brother hasn’t uttered one word to me (it’s been 9 months).

I called the ambulance on Sunday, 10th September, 2023 and told them I need to go to the ED for mental health or I’m going to jump in front of a car. The paramedics came and took me to the ED at RPA. I finally got a spot at PMBC and was told at first that my problems were ‘outpatient problems’ and that I was going to be discard the next day. All I could do was cry and sleep. I slept for two days straight because I was exhausted and I wasn’t going to get the help I need.

They decided after my marathon sleep that they keep me a little longer. I got sent to their Short Stay Unit (SSU) and slept like there was no tomorrow. I was safe, I was getting food and I felt like people were there to help me.

I have NO idea what I did to show them that I no longer needed inpatient treatment but after two weeks they decided I no longer needed their help and to hand me over to my mum and brother. The place where my problems arose from. Maybe I should have been screaming at the top of my lungs that I was crazy or start frothing at the mouth. There is one person there that has been there for 122 days because he hasn’t got a home to go to. I think they were scared I was going to be like that as well and jumped at the chance to free up a bed. The nurse even told me they had 12 people waiting for a bed. So, because I’m not drooling at the mouth I can’t get the help I want/need. I just wanted help! I still need help!

The day I was discharged they had organised a ‘family meeting’ with my mum, brother and I. All fine and dandy but I wasn’t told about this until that morning and that I was going home with them. To say I feel betrayed is an understatement. I suppose I’ll just have to jump in front of a car! I’m so tired of feeling this way.

Australia, you have to do better with mental health!!!

Suzanne L.

Awful place, awfully cold unapproachable so called nurses.
3 days with no food, nurses couldn't be bothered to order any, too busy sitting chatting behind their security wall. It's the patients that require protection, not the staff.
The plastic coated message on the bedside table is such a reassuring touch. Do as we say or you will receive electric shock treatment. How helpful.
If you want a person to suffer, send them here

Paolo C.

My experience at Marie Bashir was a positive one. A spacious area with spaces to relax (3 lounge areas and a well thought out retreat room). Activities are encouraged here varying from art, to meditating, to cooking, it is clear personal development are their priority. While the food provided isn't in accord to restaurant standards, variations of meat and vegetables are provided, and other nutritionally appropriate meals The nurses here are incredibly passionate and caring, focusing on the patient's future plans and attending their needs when required. Except Mel, she clearly is one crazy lady that needs to take a chill pill i mean damn why she in terminator mode seriously! Special mention to nurse Jess as she is an impeccable nurse. Such effort she puts in for all the patients that should be rewarded as manager. Overall, the centre is an empowering experience, where recovery is possible. Five stars!

Kristy H.

5 stars - would recommend. Rooms are spacious and clean with sweeping views. The concierge and staff are just wonderful. Decor leaves something to be desired but overall I had a pleasant stay. Affordable accommodation, though the exit was EXTREMELY difficult to find.

JJ

This facility is abusing the human rights of its patients and will damage individuals futures, young and old. The facility staff and the psych doctors (e.g. Dr Yeap, Dr Salar)*Please be careful of them) collaborate, and don't take into consideration the voice of relatives and the families of the involuntary patients. It is very stressful. They push to implement non-approved mandated medications involuntarily. They will destroy peoples lives without choice and are rendering patients in an environment that is very difficult to leave unless the patient follows their recommendations, even if it is to be damaging the patient. Please urge any family who has loved ones that are involuntarily detained here to know their rights and beware of this facility for the sake of your loved ones, and their future.