Trigger warning (suicide) The state of the NHS - Mental Health

[TheJungleBook]

Has anyone ever had a positive experience with the NHS when it comes to mental health?

Three years ago, I made a serious suicide attempt and was hospitalised in ICU for several days. After that, the NHS offered 6 30mins telephone CBT sessions.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been fine, not fantastic, but not suicidal — which has been a revelation, given that I used to suffer from suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. I take meds and briefly had therapy, privately — which I believe have helped.

The past few weeks, I’ve reentered the dark headspace of intrusive thoughts, low self-esteem to the point that I don’t want to be here anymore. I’m self-harming. I went to the GP today and asked for support — ideally, I was seeking a break from work so I could reorganise myself mentally before I start a new job in the new year. Instead, he gave me a link to an online CBT course. Naturally, it made me feel even worse.

Where do I even go from here?

I understand how shit it is. My dh has been in a very similar situation. They just hand out the little well being card that links to an online CBT course, which is utterly useless if you’re in a crisis situation or have severe bipolar (like my dh - thankfully he’s been stable on 40mg citalopram for a few years now). Apparently you have to do that to enter the gateway to access further 121 support which seems so frustrating. We’ve been told if you feel in serious risk of harming yourself to ring 111 and there’s an option for mental health issues now and they’ll assess so perhaps it’s worth trying that? So sorry.

My DH has an aborted suicide attempt and a failed suicide attempt recently, after the first one he was offered an online group CBT course of 6 sessions, he went on to the second attempt and was hospitalised, he has now just been sent a list (essentially a Google search) of counselling directories as the next step after his useless CBT course came to an end and told to get on with it - so in other words there is fuck all available on the NHS, even if you try to take your own life.

I'm so sorry you're going through this too. Mental health support in this country is absolutely non existent.

I found the whole system totally shit but in your case I think you need to ask for the crisis team. You can access it through 111 or your GP or paramedics from 999 can refer (paramedics obviously if you're not safe or have made an attempt). They should be able to organise a referral to the community mental health team for an assessment to get an accurate diagnosis and help you access treatment that the GP can't offer such as proper psychological and psychiatric treatment.

I'm not shocked that they didn't bother sorting all of this out after your last attempt, they left me to die 7 times last year. You have to be "that" person to get anywhere with mental health and they bank on you not being able to because, by its nature, most mental illness stops you from doing that.

Unfortunately for them, I was having bipolar mixed episodes so had the grandiosity and self importance of The Queen circa 1860 while I was trying to end it all, so I wouldn't take no for an answer.

While you're waiting for the NHS, also phone your local MIND network support line and see what they offer in your area, they can also offer counselling and other support like regular check-ins and drop-in cafes overnight in some areas. MIND are much more helpful on the practical side than the Samaritans that every bloody MH worker told me to call instead of referring me up to the psychiatrist who could write a prescription to make it all stop or arrange other treatment services!

Here's some possibly helpful info: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/

Could you contact your local mental health crisis team? Many now take self referrals. Or if you are feeling very unsafe go to A&e . Obviously not the best place for mental health but you will have access to a psychiatry team - and they can refer to the local psychology/ community mental health if necessary .

I've had 40yrs of NHS mental health services/treatment behind me. Tbh, the time they really helped is when I developed psychosis. I've been under EIP for two and a half years and I wouldn't be here without them.

I do hope you get the help you absolutely deserve OP. Keep fighting on, you're stronger than you know. Keep seeking support from the community mental health team, the crisis team and don't give up. You're amazing and a beautiful soul.

Thanks all for your compassionate replies.

It’s appalling to hear that my experience is so ubiquitous, but there’s some comfort in knowing I’m not alone.