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AIBU?

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Original poster

To expect after 6 months could access a waiting list for mh support

55 replies

Eatinghurts · 13/10/2025 01:12

I know nhs mh services are wofully inadequate. However thought it was more long waiting lists.

my experience was in March work EAP wrote to gp suggesting secondary care support for trauma. Was hoping would be on a waiting list for support however just bounced from service to service gp wont offer meds and an appointment on weds with crisuis team for assessment cancleed. Private providers just not helpingto expect after 6 months would have got onto nhs list for supportto expect after 6 months would have got onto nhs list for support

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ThePure · 15/10/2025 19:22

Just look on their website and they should have a link to their PALS

Snackpocket · 15/10/2025 19:29

You are talking about the GP not prescribing as you need secondary intervention, that sounds like you need a psychiatrist not a psychologist. Have you tried a private psychiatrist, they may see you if it’s above what a psychologist can do.

ThePure · 15/10/2025 19:33

The GP should usually be able to get advice and guidance from the psychiatrist in 2nd care about meds even if they don’t take you on to their service. You should ask them if they can do that.

If 2nd care are saying that IAPT can deal with it and IAPT are saying they can’t that makes no sense and justifies a complaint. There should be some kind of interface meeting where they can thrash this stuff out and decide who is offering (I assume that both services are provided by the same MH Trust but maybe that’s an unsafe assumption these days).

Otherwise if you really don’t meet criteria for either service and no suitable service is commissioned (and there may not be) then you have to complain to the commissioners which is the ICB and they will also have a complaint process on their website

This assumes that you are not refusing things they are offering which they seem to be a suitable service.

Cookieandcandy · 15/10/2025 19:36

Snackpocket · 15/10/2025 19:29

You are talking about the GP not prescribing as you need secondary intervention, that sounds like you need a psychiatrist not a psychologist. Have you tried a private psychiatrist, they may see you if it’s above what a psychologist can do.

That’s what I was going to suggest. Make an appointment with a private psychiatrist at The Priory as they will have access to a multidisciplinary team there.
Good luck I really feel your despair and you deserve to get the help and support you need.

PeonyPatch · 15/10/2025 19:47

You need to be assessed by your community mental health team… you need a psychiatric assessment and support from an MDT by the sounds of things. The GP isn’t the right practitioner to prescribe you medication as it sounds like you need a full psych assessment and there may be some complexity and risk.

What area of London are you in? I could try to locate your emergency nhs mh line - every area has one. In my area, it’s called Single Point of Access.

PeonyPatch · 15/10/2025 19:50

ThePure · 15/10/2025 19:33

The GP should usually be able to get advice and guidance from the psychiatrist in 2nd care about meds even if they don’t take you on to their service. You should ask them if they can do that.

If 2nd care are saying that IAPT can deal with it and IAPT are saying they can’t that makes no sense and justifies a complaint. There should be some kind of interface meeting where they can thrash this stuff out and decide who is offering (I assume that both services are provided by the same MH Trust but maybe that’s an unsafe assumption these days).

Otherwise if you really don’t meet criteria for either service and no suitable service is commissioned (and there may not be) then you have to complain to the commissioners which is the ICB and they will also have a complaint process on their website

This assumes that you are not refusing things they are offering which they seem to be a suitable service.

This is an awful lot to contend with for someone suffering mental health issues. It’s really poor. The poster desperately needs treatment and may not be in a position where they are able to make a complaint.

I would contact CMHT (Community MH Team) directly or nhs crisis line and have an assessment asap.

Original poster
Eatinghurts · 15/10/2025 20:11

it is unclear to me if the GP needs a psychiatrist or gastro input as part of the concern is am at high risk of small bowel obstruction and concern is psych meds may increase the risk of

NELF is my local service. I have been waiting for a cmht assessment for over a month as there is no self harm but they cancled an appointment i was due to have this week and am waiting for this assessment to be rescheduled.

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Original poster
Eatinghurts · 15/10/2025 20:18

I think secondary care and IAPT may be in diferent trusts. At least they talk about not being able to access each others assessments but both can access GP reccords

will try to speak to gp on if paying to be seen at somewhere like the priory could help.

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TheLivelyViper · 15/10/2025 22:36

Eatinghurts · 15/10/2025 20:18

I think secondary care and IAPT may be in diferent trusts. At least they talk about not being able to access each others assessments but both can access GP reccords

will try to speak to gp on if paying to be seen at somewhere like the priory could help.

If that is the case, whenever you do have appointments, download anything really relevant onto your device, a tablet/iPad if you can or your phone. Also have the NHS app ready so then they can just see jt from there, if you don't have this, you can download it and the GP's receptionists can help with it. It shouldn't have to be this way but it can often stop delays in them requesting anything from each other.

Original poster
Eatinghurts · 16/10/2025 08:26

Thanks i have the Nhs app problem is lots of apopoointments are phone calls so its hard to share

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Original poster
Eatinghurts · 17/10/2025 22:05

cmht called today they are discharging back to iapt without an assessment. I feel devistated i dont know what has changed since IAPT said they couldnt support. Not sure what I should expect to pay if i go down private psychiatrist route. Just feels like no support.

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ninjahamster · 17/10/2025 23:00

I am so sorry, mental health support is really poor.

hairgairhair · 17/10/2025 23:00

Why is the go refusing to drug you?

Crisis teams dont make appointments for days later, it's emergency. What team is it?

hairgairhair · 17/10/2025 23:06

PeonyPatch · 15/10/2025 19:47

You need to be assessed by your community mental health team… you need a psychiatric assessment and support from an MDT by the sounds of things. The GP isn’t the right practitioner to prescribe you medication as it sounds like you need a full psych assessment and there may be some complexity and risk.

What area of London are you in? I could try to locate your emergency nhs mh line - every area has one. In my area, it’s called Single Point of Access.

It's 111.

And in my area you won't get refered to community

ThePure · 17/10/2025 23:45

They may have had some wrangling behind the scenes I suppose and spoken to IAPT and persuaded them
Did you challenge the person who rang and remind her you were refused by IAPT?
Have they made and supported the referral to IAPT themselves?
Presumably you will not need another assessment having just had one and should go on the treatment waiting list straight away.
If those points were not clarified then call back on Monday and ask them to clarify. Ask for PALs number if not satisfied.
No point in ringing 111 to get referred to community having just been turned down by community. That will just be going in more pointless circles.

Original poster
Eatinghurts · 18/10/2025 00:05

@hairgairhair the gp gave the number saying it was the crisis team its its same place 111 option to gets to. Their assessment was it was not an imnesdiate risk of harm where they would have said hospital for assessment and so deamed safe to wait.

the GP said beyond their scope of compitency to prescribe due to risks of bowel obstruction. They want cmht and surgons to talk to eachother.

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hairgairhair · 18/10/2025 00:12

Eatinghurts · 18/10/2025 00:05

@hairgairhair the gp gave the number saying it was the crisis team its its same place 111 option to gets to. Their assessment was it was not an imnesdiate risk of harm where they would have said hospital for assessment and so deamed safe to wait.

the GP said beyond their scope of compitency to prescribe due to risks of bowel obstruction. They want cmht and surgons to talk to eachother.

The number for the crisis team throughout the country can be found via 111. They are making it one number instead of lots throughout the country. You'll reach the same people. You click 1 for mental health.

I'm not sure I know anything about bowel obstruction but if the gp is unwilling to prescribe they need to send you to psychotirst or the specialist bowel people. Can't refuse and not refer. I would ask to see another gp or press for a complaint

Original poster
Eatinghurts · 18/10/2025 00:16

@ThePure It didn’t sound like there has been behind the seens rangling. They said has not been discussed at an intergface meeting. I asked how quickly I would be seen by IAPT and said I would need to rerefer in and wait for an assessment. I explained I was feeling bounced around and huge ammounts of time was.being wasted assessing ratherthan supporting me. Ythey said each service diferent criteria.

I was really upset about going back and said that I didnt see the point of having another assessment with a service which told both me and my GP not suitable. I felt they were weaponising CBT as said I was jumping to conclusions but would not answer when i asked for evidence from them that things had changed to get a diferent outcome.

i also asked about the medication thing and they said GP would have to refer back if they wanted advice.

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Bluemin · 18/10/2025 00:17

OP look up the havening technique on YouTube. Its a form of self-soothing and proven effective for trauma. Ideally best to do with a therapist but I cant see any harm in trying it yourself. It has lots of evidence behind it.

Original poster
Eatinghurts · 18/10/2025 00:22

the Gp thought that crisis team or cmht would assess meds but that referral now isnt happening have bowel related referrals in but dont know when that will be.

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Original poster
Eatinghurts · 18/10/2025 00:23

Thanks @Bluemin really helpful to have something practical to look up.

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EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 18/10/2025 00:26

Eatinghurts · 13/10/2025 19:00

@lowdownuphigh GP MH worker is a great shout. Unfortunately the one in my GP practice is LTS, and cover is pharmacist and paramedic. Hope it helps othersthough.

are there any good ways to find third sector providersIam on waiting list with rape crisis but am more needing trauma support.

Have you contacted your local SARC if it's SA related? They may be able to signpost to other local services, including voluntary sector.

Jumpingthruhoops · 18/10/2025 00:28

Jellycatspyjamas · 13/10/2025 08:46

I’m so sorry @Endeavour1971 that’s so cruel. Mental health services are just appalling and there’s not much on the NHS for trauma unless you’re literally not functioning. A good private provider can be worth their eight in gold - someone with training and experience in working with trauma.

From bitter experience, I'd say private mental health services are the only way. But they cost ££££s! I truly despair for those having to rely on NHS 'care'.

CrispsPlease · 18/10/2025 00:29

There is no "mental health care" in the NHS I'm afraid. The system is broken. Physical health fares better but it's not a million miles behind. If you are desperate: I'd take out a well researched/good rate loan or credit card and find private counselling/psychiatry. But make sure you do pay it off in good time and don't get yourself in financial trouble.

Original poster
Eatinghurts · 18/10/2025 00:32

thanks @EilonwyWithRedGoldHair am on a waiting list for support with rape crisis or womens aid. I havent had anything since being referred in March but feel bad taking from this servivice as SA not main issue.

I have an ISVA so dont know if they can do anything.

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