NHS mental health team referral rejected - can anyone shed some light?

It's just not the NHS model. As an example, I developed arthritis in my fingers to the point I couldn't work. My referral took 6 months to go through and then the rheumatoid consultant was extremely rude because my GP put in an urgent rather than standard referral, he actually told me I don't walk on my hands so what was the problem. My fingers couldn't be straightened. He advised the GP to use extremely strong steroids and I got the use of my hands back... That's just one example in the millions of people using services everyday. I work with young people and CAMHS are on their knees, there's not the funding or the staff available to be preventative

There should be, but there isn't. You'll have to wait for a crisis and then you 'might' get lucky.

I am not saying that there wouldn’t be a role for preventative care but the NHS does not have the luxury of that. You’d also be very lucky to see the same psychiatrist or MH worker twice given our recruitment and retention issues so the long term relationship doesn't apply. You are used to the luxury of private services. That’s where the money you pay in insurance goes to a better service.

It’s been this way for at least 30 years, you must be living under a rock if you don’t realise how bad and underfunded NHS Mental Health services are

Not having all the resources taken up by people having routine check ups ought to allow for faster access for people in crisis.

OP didn’t say that she wanted talking therapy but she can self refer to NHS talking therapies in most areas of the U.K. if she does.

If in crisis call NHS 111 and select the mental health option or go to A&E rather than the GP and those will provide a fast route in to services (if it is justified at that time)

The way the NHS mental health system works is that if you're currently stable then they won't accept a referral for anything other than talking therapy until you actually have a crisis. The NHS a reactive system rather than a preventative one therefore if you don't have a direct 'need' then they won't accept. They apply this to mental health services as well.

Unfortunately in my experience you have to be in crisis for the nhs to accept you. They dont see that it would be cheaper (and better for patients) to maintain relationships and prevent crisis. It looks better on paper if patients are discharged or not put on long waiting lists.
I have ptsd (ironically caused by the nhs). Took them 10 years to give me emdr then when they deemed me 'stable' they discharged me. I went from weekly intervention to nothing. Two years on I could do with support but I'm not at crisis point so they'll not even put me back on the very long waiting list.
I'm not much help to you I'm afraid. But definitely understand your frustrations.
Have you looked what support nice guidelines say the nhs should provide you with?

Having said that, they’ve always been quick to see me due to the nature of my diagnosis and I’ve normally had a call the same day as the referrals and been triaged. If I’m bad a key worker will contact me same day and arrange to see me - if I need to have my meds reviewed urgently then they will arrange for a psychiatrist to look asap.

We don’t see people who are not currently ill ‘just in case’ What would the psychiatrist do? Just have a chat to you? We are overwhelmed with all the people who are currently ill. If you become unwell or wish to make changes to your meds thats when they would have a job to do and a referral would be justified

In my area they will only see you if you are actively ill and will discharge you as quickly as possible. I’ve been under the mental health on and off for years and they won’t keep you on just in case you need them.

Did they literally refuse you a referral for any form of therapy? Like CBT etc? They might not think you need a psychiatrist if your meds are working and you're stable on them. But surely they could offer talking therapy? If not that seems out of order.