Why are mental health services in the UK so utterly shit?

[Whichwhatnow]

Trying to get mental health support this week after multiple suicides of friends and other issues. Nowt out there available. I'm lucky, I can pay. But how does someone on benefits or NMW pay for therapy?? Surely this should be a basic support element of the NHS?

Little funding.

Yeah ROADS. They helpfully sent a couple of videos I could have got from YouTube. That was it. I don't know if it's different elsewhere??

Amen.
The fucking Tories have cut and cut social care. They are to blame.

I just have to state I really disagree- actually most IAPT and talking therapy services in the NHS were founded on the evidence that short term intervention for common problems like anxiety and depression is very cost effective.

Of course they are overwhelmed, understaffed, and have a huge waiting list. GPS aren’t acting with nefarious intentions, they are trying to do what is in their power to help, which is to prescribe an evidence based treatment.

I have been involved with a couple of ladies recently who have experienced DV. One has been referred to a local organisation who are able to give her a support worker, refer her on for counselling. I would say there would be similar organizations in your area who will do similar. Try womens aid, they may be able to refer you for counselling. I imagine also the refuge can help you access further help.

It begins with Tory and ends in government. Much like the rest of the health service, mental health services are not given anywhere near the funding needed to meet needs. I have a child on the waiting list for CAMHS. It's likely to be years before she's even seen. In the 6 months she's been on the list so far her issues have just got worse and worse and we've had not one tiny bit of support except a list of websites.

I am sure you must have tried OP but in case not Bristol's 24 hour Mental Health Crisis Line is 0800 953 1919

. I don't know if it's different elsewhere??

Honestly, it is shit everywhere, you aren't just unlucky

Here is the service that offers free counselling and CBT on the NHS. But beware waiting list will be long and I dont think will be quite right for now whilst you are in a crisis. But they will offer therapy once you have stabiliaed. https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-services/nhs-mental-health/bristol-north-somerset-and-south-gloucestershire-mental-health-services/

For now, try the crisis support teams.

OP it sounds like you are in crisis…

Right now Is not the time to be starting therapy anyway- it’s a very difficult and triggering process.
It sounds like the refuge is somewhere to go where you can reflect and gather your thoughts.

I really do empathise but in a sense you don’t need treating for a disorder.
You are grieving, and you have been hurt by someone who is supposed to love you. It is normal to be low in these circumstances. It sounds like you need to be somewhere you feel safe and listened to. I don’t think you need a ward or medication or therapy (yet anyway).

This is true. Many things which directly impact mental health such as your material conditions are just too far a stretch for the country to achieve. It really isn't the job of a government to ensure the wellbeing of the society it governs. Lack of access to healthcare and the cost of living really isn't within the remit of a government and subsequently like the poster I've quoted says, we can't risk the country falling to its knees trying to help people at the most basic level. But the good thing is that as the majority of the country shares the view of the poster I've quoted it seems the country has the government it deserves, so there's that

I work in mental health in Bristol. Contact AWP Crisis line 0800 9539599 to speak to someone in a mental health team. This is a 24 hour line, they may have to call you back. Alternatively you can self refer to AWP Primary Care Liaison team. Good luck.

They can and do refer to people who can and do help. Genuinely. Hoarding is much like any other mental health issue and benefits from therapy. I have had CBT, one to one therapy and about to start 1:1 with someone coming into my house. It's not something to write off as a lost cause.

What help do people need?

Counsellors? Therapy?

Do they really help (genuine question)

@Yellowcakestand

Did i get it wrong? I got the number from the Bristol Mind site. Worried given wring info.

Yes therapy genuinely helps.

But I do think people go into it believing it to be a bit like magic. As if the therapists knows the right thing to say and will fix the problems. That's not how it works. It isn't always helpful for people in crisis as it takes weeks/months to work.

Sorry to any MH professionals, am going to use a very crude analogy here:

A bit like if you broke your leg, you would go to a medical professional to get it set and help the healing process. But it doesn't automatically take the pain away and you have to do the hard work of weight bearing bit by bit and building the muscle tone back up.

So as a PP has said, when someone is in a mental health crisis, they ABSOLUTELY need support. But therapy isn't always the answer that we think it is, as it can't take away pain instantly.

10 years ago I went to my gp for depression as my baby was born with a Genetic condition and became very ill with time in hospital ect. I told him I’d been having suicidal thoughts and needed to see a psychiatrist. He said “well that’s not available on the nhs” and sent me off with fluoxetine.
so roll on 10 years now my daughter has been diagnosed with brain damage due to nhs negligence as a newborn, they’ve suddenly started pestering me saying I need counselling for it.
so to cut a long story short, unless they think they’re going to get sued they won’t do anything.
Having said that I’ve worked in the private clinic sector and rarely saw long term results for people. My husband uncle killed himself last year and he was going private at the time.
lifes just a bit sh*t at the moment and until the government pulls their finger out it will never get better for anyone.

I would agree but I also have diagnosed BPD and CPST. Plus depression. And OCD though I don't think that's relevant. Life is a bit hard at the best of times

So sorry for your loss OP. <sending hugs>

i work in MH and there is no doubt we are hugely under resourced in terms of demand which increases year on year.

I take my hat off to you and all of those working in public service jobs. Hospitals, Fire Brigade, etc.

It's an utter shit show.

13 years of shit Tory government innit.

Counsellors, therapy, medication, a safe place to be while they recover.

All these things work. Unlike the Tory party.

The Government, obviously.

How’s Wales doing?

The Labour Party in Wales is not to blame for the state of the UK. It was the Tories with their Austerity, Brexit, Trussterfuck economics, incompetence, lies and corruption that has brought us to this mess. In England and across the devolved regions.

Cunts!

YANBU OP. Earlier this year my friend died. Her Death Cert will most likelyrecord "Suicide" but she died because ther was No Beds so she didn't get the health care she needed.

Because of bastard Tories and their cunting cuts to necessary health services.

Lack of funding and people keep voting conservative.
But some people also have unrealistic expectations of mental health services. For example thinking that mental health services should be there for every bit of unhappiness. You do have to self manage your feelings as well.
The level of skills of some staff are pretty low E.g. in crisis team. And the private in patient facilities can be a disgrace.