What happens of you tell a GP you're suicidal?

[TuddlyCoy]

Does anyone know? Does it depend on the GP? I don't think I'm mentally ill, I think I'm having a totally normal reaction to trauma. I'm not even sure medication or therapy could help. I'm scared I'll be sectioned or my children will be taken away or I'll go on some sort of list. Because the true extent of it is that every hour of every day is spent thinking about this. I can barely function, every building I see is weighed up as a potential place to jump from. Every road a temptation, every shopping trip a way getting more pills.
I'm so tired and I know this is wrong. I don't know what to do and I know they say go to a GP but what happens then?

They will ask whether you have a plan to end your life. When you tell them what you have written here, it is most likely that ADs will be prescribed, but the Dr will also ask you to rebook, so they can keep an eye on your progress. Some people feel a bit worse before they start to feel better, and the Dr will be concerned about that. It really is worth trying them though - they saved me.

From my experience, they will suggest pills and CBT, but if they feel you are at real risk then they will refer you to PCLS.

I would try to weigh up whether you honestly think you will act upon these thoughts, you don't have to tell us on here, but you need to decide on this yourself.

If you don't think you will act on these desires, but you instead are feeling "I feel so utterly despairingly distressed that I need something to take this pain away " - that's a little more hopeful. Because, in time, you can find these things to take the unbearable pain you're in away. It won't be overnight, it'll be gradual. Feeling very depressed but not actively suicidal will be an improvement.

If you tell your GP you feel suicidal, yes, it will prompt concern for your welfare and the welfare of any dependents- they have to act responsibly, it's their moral and legal duty. But that's better for you and your family than you being dead .

If you feel you will not act on your thoughts, please see your GP to get you signposted to the right services who can get you on your journey to better mental health. Anti depressants would be a good place to start. Sleep is essential. You must put your very basic needs first right now.

If you really think you risk acting on your suicidal thoughts, bypass GP and get to A&E (it is an emergency) where you can access immediate help as you need and deserve.

How you feel is horrific. I'm so sorry you're feeling those feelings.

Please take care of your lovely self. You have as much right to be on this planet as every fucker else! Never forget that x

In my experience my GP sent the crisis team out.
I voluntary went into the psychiatric hospital.
Was my life saver.
Been having therapy for 40 years now.
( l now am able to pay private).
Please please get some help.
NHS 111: Dial NHS 111 and select the mental health option (option 2) for 24/7 crisis support.

National Suicide Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652 for a supportive listening service.

CALM: Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight) if you are struggling and need to talk.

Sending you healing thoughts.

From experience with my dh it was the best thing he did. The gp took him seriously, prescribed anti depressants, listened to him for a long time, saw him regularly (I don’t know if he went on a special list but we could always get an appointment) and talked to him about ways of managing his depression. He also gave both of us a number for the local crisi team which was a real comfort to me, but I don’t think dh even remembers.I’ll alaways be so grateful to that GP.

anyway, it wasn’t scary, it was a huge help. I hope you find the support you want.

i am so sorry you feel this way, OP. Mental health services are there to help, and not to punish you by removing your children. As you’re already planning ways to do this, even if you don’t have intent right now, I think you should reach out: please ring 111 or head to A+E and explain how you are feeling. It is much better to do this now than wait until you have intent, that would be the worst thing for your children. You deserve to live and not feel like this. Please do something today. Good luck ♥️

You’ve already made a first step by talking to us about it. Take that second step and make contact with the professionals. Wishing you on to health and happiness. 🌻.

My gp suggested anti depressants and CBT. She also gave me a weak supply of diazepam. I didn’t get on with the anti depressants but I did do the therapy. She rang me a few times to check I was ok.

have you spoken to anyone at length about how you are feeling? The kinds of thoughts you are having must be hugely overwhelming. It sounds exhausting.

do you know what you would like your GP to do? Would you like AD’s? To be referred for counselling? Something else?

Samaritans are also there : 116 123 to talk to.

The GP I know, said yesterday that when a patient comes to him with mental health problems for the first time, he gives them 45 minutes in the appointment - to build up a rapport and trust for the subsequent appointments. His colleagues help out, by taking some of his other appointments, to avoid the build up in the waiting room.

Here, GPs have a hotline to secondary care mental health services.

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/mental-health-helplines/

If you need help, or someone to talk to, there’s lots of helplines on this link that can help and support you. Please ring someone.

My DH was suicidal due to chronic pain and the GP referred him to a pain clinic who took this seriously and he had a medication review and 1-1 counselling in DBT. I really think it saved his life and our marriage. I’m so sorry you’re having these feelings and I hope you feel you can access help too.

Hello OP. We're really sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time. You're getting some good advice and support here but we'd like to share a few links to resources that might be useful. There are a few orgs listed on our
Mental Health resources page. You can also go to the Samaritans website or email them on [email protected].

Some further support links:

NHS: Where to get urgent help for mental health
NHS: Looking after your mental health
CALM: The Campaign Against Living Miserably
NHS: Help for suicidal thoughts

Very best wishes from MNHQ.

In my experience they've done practically nothing. They organised half an hour phone call from a mental health nurse. No crisis team, no follow-up. Been told not possible to see an NHS psychiatrist as they don't see patients anymore, they just direct GPs. I feel dreadful and no help at all. Just like every other service in this country.

Maybe anti-depressants. Maybe counselling but I don't know if you can get that on the NHS at present.

KNOW THIS - you can get better. People do. Many move out of the dark places, and look back and can't imagine how low they once were.

Best wishes.