Diamond Recovery Centre in Parys

Diamond Recovery Centre in Parys This branch has a structured programme, good food and a peaceful Kruger-style setting. We also recognise that recovery work is demanding and that staff have an important role to play.

Our family’s concern was the culture and communication around serious emotional wellbeing issues. In our view, the close personal relationships between senior staff made it harder for vulnerable residents to feel safe raising concerns independently. People in recovery are often carrying deep shame, trauma and fear of failure; they need clear, compassionate and genuinely open avenues to speak up.

We were particularly concerned about reports involving suicidal thoughts, public humiliation and an alleged breach of confidence by a senior staff member in the ladies section. In our experience, two disclosures of suicidal feelings were not communicated to us at the time. We only learned later, including at a subsequent visit, that our family member had been struggling. Families should be contacted promptly when a resident expresses thoughts of not wanting to be alive, subject to appropriate consent and safeguarding procedures.

For longer stays at primary care, we feel there should be a thoughtful, supported reintegration plan rather than prolonged isolation from normal family and community life; Recovery needs to prepare a person for life beyond the facility.

It is a shame, because with stronger compassion, transparent communication, independent escalation routes and a more open-door culture, this centre could have an even more life-changing impact. We are deeply grateful that we acted when we did to prevent our loved one from potential being another suicide statistic.