During my stay at the Medical Center of Aurora North Adult Behavioral Health Unit, Martel really made a difference in the care I received. She put in the extra time to listen to my worries about what my hallucinations were telling me to do (to hurt myself) and reassured me that I would be alright, safe, and that those hallucinations were nothing but lies.

She didn't judge me or treat me with anything but the utmost respect and dignity that everyone equally deserves. Every time I came to her with a request for medication to help with pain or the voices, she never brushed me off, even when she was really busy. She would acknowledge my request accordingly and let me know whether I needed to wait for my turn or if she could help me right away. She was always very nice, pleasant to deal with, and respectful of what I was going through.

I have a bulging disc in my lower back that is incredibly painful. The pain triggers my psychosis, and she was one of the few nurses to understand that. She helped me stay on top of the pain by reminding me it was time to take my meds, but to also use my coping skills as best I could to keep my voices under control. She knew I was strong enough to overcome my hallucinations with some help, and she offered that help.