Frustrated with NHS MH Services

[100DegreesintheShade]

NC for this as outing

I love the NHS think it’s fantastic but am finding the MH services frustrating.

I need counselling. Probably 12-18 weeks’ worth possibly a bit more, but I don’t meet the threshold for counselling in my area. You have to be suicidal, self-harming or a risk of harming someone else to get help in my area, and even then it’s for 4 hours a year. Unless your addicted to alcohol or drugs then there’s more help available.

I am none of the above. I have an anxiety disorder and depression, but I am not a risk to myself or others. I get so anxious I shut myself away; this is due to past trauma. But I have never been suicidal. I go OCD over washing my daughters clothes if there’s a small stain or I beat myself up mentally because I give her fish fingers and chips for tea but I’d never harm her or myself, she’s always been my reason and because of her I could never contemplate harming myself (I’m a Single Parent). I get anxious if I’m running late and scared of the consequences if I am actually late, to the point I will avoid going to somewhere if I am late. But I am not a danger to my DD or myself. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke and the only drugs I take are my anti-anxiety medication and an inhaler for asthma. I need help but don’t meet the criteria for help.

Faking it doesn’t get me the help because even if I get to see a counsellor I don’t trust anyone so by the time I’ve built up the repore and trust with the person I’m speaking to the support is removed. A few years ago I had 4 1 hour sessions of counselling and after that nothing, they applied for further funding but were rejected because I’m not a danger to myself. Removing the support suddenly actually had a more negative effect on me than the counselling itself.

Medication alone isn’t helping. I can’t afford private therapy. So now I’m trying to find a charity or somewhere else I can go for the help I need. With counselling I’d probably be less anxious in general so could go back to work and improve mine and my daughter’s life in general.

I just feel so frustrated with a system. I know the NHS is brilliant, they’ve saved my life, they’ve saved my daughter’s life. My GP is great and everyone who I’ve ever come into contact with who works for the NHS is brilliant. It’s just frustrating.

I obviously don’t want anything from this thread just to moan, but does anyone else find this? Also anyone know of any charities that operate a counselling service? I’m happy to pay a few pounds but private therapy is going to cost me £30-50 per hour which I just cannot stretch to.

NHS mental health services are chronically underfunded. If you want that to change you'll need to get rid of the Tories.

I'm sympathetic, my condition is classed as severe and complex but all there is is a three year waiting list for psychotherapy. Support doesn't get better the more ill you get, it gets worse.

I hope you get somewhere with a charity. The system is absolutely dire, and only getting worse.

(That's not intended to come across as harsh, but more to say, it's equally bad whatever your condition or needs are.)

It must be hard to be just under the threshold for services. My depression is chronic and severe, with suicide attempts and self-harming (no drug or alcohol abuse), so I've had a significant level of help through my local CMHT, but there are still long waiting lists. I've waited around 18 months for psychotherapy, but when I did get a therapist I was able to have sessions three times a week (for one block which lasted 24 months) and then more recently, once a week CBT (which lasted 18 months). I'm a single parent too but unfortunately my urges are so strong that it doesn't stop me, and I'm classed as a danger to myself and my dd (SS have been involved as my depression has led to self neglect and not being able to look after her properly). I'm not proud of that, but just shared it to explain that I'm not exactly fortunate to be over the threshold for getting help - I would much rather be more functional like yourself and not need such a high level of intervention. It does seem to be a bit of a postcode lottery, but also a bit of prioritising the more urgent and severe cases, which is what happens with all public funding really.

There are a few places which offer a sliding scale of fees in my area - I think it must depend on what is available locally rather than a nationwide charity so you could ask to be signposted by your GP or local MIND. I've picked up flyers about the local services in my library before, you could check there to see if you can find out anything about cheaper counselling.

Are there any charities near to you that do counselling, I was referred by my psychiatrist, it was a long time ago but I paid what I could afford. It was ok. the person I saw was looking to get a job in the area following university and once they got a job couldn’t make the time to see me. Hope there are some charitable services near to you.

Sympathies Op , trying to get help for my dd and the gp just said to try yoga .

I've been on the waiting list for therapy for 8 months, it's dire .

Look for iapt services in your local area. These are for low grade depression and anxiety that do not warrant mental health service input

Yeah please be mad at the Tories instead of the NHS who are trying to cope with increased demands but less money.

OddCat I sympathise with your DD. Apparently the answer to my depression was to go to more toddler groups

Can you see if there are iapt or health in mind services?
These usually offer lower level support
Equally in my area theres a number of charities that offer counselling or reduced cost counselling, there maybe something similar in yours?

There are definitely " pay what you can afford" counselling services where I am, run by charities.

Try asking GP if they know of any where you are?

I'm sorry things are so difficult for you

Hi Op I work for a mental health NHS trust. I agree it's frustrating when you can't access counselling, mental health services are massively underfunded.

In most areas, you can be referred or self refer, for 'talking therapy' counselling through the NHS. In my area this is called italk, but there are various different names. You normally have an assessment over the phone, then you're referred for counselling, depending on your needs. This could be online, group therapy, on the phone or face to face. I know some people are not keen on phone counselling, but people I know who have done it have found it really beneficial.

Yes, its a catch 22 of if you are motivated to attend then you are not really in need of therapy. If you are a significant risk you are not ready for therapy. Lots of risk assessing people and signposting them, not much helpful therapy.