I am currently 'enjoying' my fourth stay in 12 months in a psychiatric hospital while they play with my medication... they are not even sure what the problem is anymore, they seem to think it's not depression but some kind of 'personality disorder'. How nice and vague.

Anyway, they are concerned by my current situation. I moved here in July 2009, worked for 3 months and then the depression-or-whatever-it-is recurred and I had to take time off, by January 2010 I was in hospital and I had lost my job. Since then I've been getting Revenue d'Insertion, which pays my rent and living expenses.

However, my flat costs more than the 'usual' amount for a single person on revenue d'insertion. I was originally told that I had until October 2010 to receive the higher rent from social aid, then I would have to either make up the short fall or move. But then my social worker, when I'd looked around and couldn't find anything, told me that all I needed was a certificate from my psychiatrist stating I was unable to move, and they'd carry on paying my rent at the higher rate. So I did that.

However, now the social worker at the hospital is telling me that social aid won't pay my too-high rent forever, and my psychiatrist is saying that although I have made good progress in the last year I haven't made enough progress... and they want to put me into a foyer.

However, they say that I'm not entitled to assurance invalidité because I only worked for 3 months here, so my choice is limited. They want to put me in the one in St-Prex.

Now there are all sorts of questions here, and I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any information... every Swiss person I have mentioned this too has looked horrified and assured me that I really don't want to go into a foyer, but all the medical staff at the hospital are telling me this is what I need to get well, and I can't help but see their point (they say I have low independence and can't cope on my own so need a supported environment while I develop those coping strategies). But on the other hand it's a big decision to make.

So, does anyone have any information, experience, or advice?

(I may not reply right away as I have to go back in this evening, but they said they might let me out again one day next week).

Sorry I have no experience. Why not give the Foyer a try? I worked at one for alcoholics near Payerne VD. It wasn't easy, but the patients led a reasonable life, sans alcohol.

Would it set your mind at rest if you cancelled your contract for your appartment and put your furniture in store, or even gave it away?

Understandably you want to keep your current home. As you don't have a timeline for the Foyer - and if your savings are not permitting - it seems you ought to consider moving out. Having to battle financial troubles along with everything else isn't going to be welcome.

If you're the sort who can make a home wherever you lay your hat - a good attribute to learn - perhaps let go of the appartment. A temporary accomodation measure will be possible at a later date. I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but I'm a pragmatic soul and have every sympathy with your predicament.

If the Foyer is a mystery, see if it's possible to visit, take in the airs and prime yourself for what may be a strengthening phase. Others' opinions will be teinted with anecdotal reports; if the hospital has emphasised your improvement over the year and suggest a next step, focus on this and don't have the burden of financial issues to worry about. Determining what you want and taking action can be motivating.

There may even be a way for a short term extension to the payments, if you can curry favour with the social worker!

Small steps. Keep going.

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