To think this is outrageous

[deadbeat]

I was at my gp recently because i am finding life overwhelming. Just feel i have too much on my plate and often feel at breaking point. She has referred me to the mental health team.

Today again i just feel like i am not coping with everything and so i rang the surgery to ask how long am i likely to wait for this, until i can see someone.
After reading my notes the receptionist tells me the number of the local hospital and says ring them, ask to get put through to psychiatry and explain have been referred and ask how long is their waiting list.

It took me all i had to ring my surgery and ask about this because admitting I am not coping with life takes a lot.

AIBU?

YANBU, but neither are they. Sorry but their resources are stretched and she obviously thought that you ringing the surgery meant you are perfectly able to make this call to.

Do it now! Don't think about it too much, just do it. Come back and let us know when you have done it, please.

I'm sorry you are having a tough time, but I'm not sure what your question is.

Is there someone else who can call for you? That way it's more about getting information than you feeling like you're admitting something, though it's truly nothing to be ashamed of. Many people can't cope at points in their life and it's a strength to be able to ask for help. I don't think that the receptionist was being unreasonable, unless it's part of their job to chase up the referral for you. i would expect she is stretched, and I know MH teams are incredibly stretched, so the fact that you're having to wait is unsurprising. Is there anywhere else you can turn in the meantime? Should you see your GP again (are you on ADs for instance - might the dose need adjusting?)? If you spoke to them, they may be able to chase things up for you, but I doubt the receptionist has time.

I agree with MammaTJ... ring them, ring them now before you think about it too much.

You need to try to get the phone number for the mental health team in order to ask them how long you have to wait for appt., I guess.

But, you don't know who to call or how to get that number so I would have done the same as you.

I don't think it's outrageous, but a little unkind of them to not be more helpful and sympathetic to you.

Really hope you can get through to someone helpful soon and get an appointment quickly. Best of luck.

I totally understand that it took all your courage to make that one call. they are now asking you to make another. that seems outrageous to you right now, which is understandable. they could have rung up on your behalf, surely

why not email them instead? you could google the email address and avoid having to talk to someone.

if you post your health authority details , i'll google it for you xx

I know it might seem like they are passing you another job to do when you've probably worked yourself up to make that one call, but take a deep breath, pick up the phone again and call them

She might have made a slight error of judgement but she was trying to help by giving you the information

Please call them, they will be able to help you

Its not outrageous - but YANBU to feel that way. You probably sounded a lot better on the phone than you felt because you'd psyched yourself up to make that call. You sounded like someone who could cope.

You shouldn't need to go into details with the hospital - just ring, say you've been referred and ask how long their list is. If you can manage to do that you'll probably feel a little bit better - I do hope so. Good luck.

I don't quite get what the outrageous thing is either . Is it that there's a waiting list, or that the receptionist didn't know how long it is? I guess if she's a GP's receptionist and the counselling is provided at the hospital, she wouldn't necessarily have this information (all she could do would be to phone them the same as you).

I hope you get it sorted anyway and don't have to wait too long.

I know where you're coming from.

If you can't face it, pm me the number and I'll phone in the morning for you.