Mental health

[SpringTime2020]

I really feel more priority needs to go to supporting people with mental illness/mental health conditions. We are being left with such little support.

I came out of hospital a few months ago after having a mental breakdown. Home visits aren't allowed, no therapy and no groups are running. So no support from my psych nurse, no psychology or occupational health support, also no support from volunteers or financial help. Yes, there are a few texts and the odd phone call but that is it. My psych nurse has been off sick (maybe Covid - I don't know) so I've heard even less from her lately. I'm really struggling. I am finding it hard being thrown back into family life as a single parent and I feel so alone and so overwhelmed.To go from 24 hour support to virtually nothing is hard. I used to get given my meds by a nurse and now trying to sort them out myself - it's a nightmare. I also haven't seen my parents for over a year and saw my brother and family once since March. It is so hard.

Bump - anyone else think this is important?

100%. Husband works for network rail. Suicides have doubled within the last month or so.

@Thedarksideofthemoon30 - that is so sad

Yes it absolutely is important. Im very sorry you're in such a difficult position.
I've noticed some very dismissive attitudes towards mental health since this whole covid situation arose.

I'm sorry to hear this. I work for a mental health service and we are operating at normal capacity with telephone and video therapy. But I appreciate not all services are operating as usual, which in my view is not acceptable. Even therapy groups can be run online.
In the absence of your psych nurse, do you have a number you can call to discuss your needs? Is your GP any help?

You are not wrong OP. The damage to people mental health has been vastly underestimated.

You are many steps forward compared with the a few months ago, keep that as a positive

Sorry you are finding it hard. Is your family far away? Is that why you haven't seen them? If you get on with them, is there anyway you can bubble up with them for support?

There is loads of mental health myself included you won't see the full force of it until later this year

@MajesticWhine - I hate telephone therapy - it is just not the same atall and I find video meetings completely overwhelming. I am going to try the video DBT group when it runs again but no idea when that will be. I'm not sure how it will work, though as when I did DBT in hospital there were always psychologists there supporting us and taking us out of the group when overwhelmed. I'm willing to give it a try, though. I've done lots of Child in need meetings over teams and they were awful - so confusing! I've not spoken to a GP about my mental health for a long time and it is a large practice so you always get to speak to someone different and never anyone I know. Not sure thete's much they could do.

@yankeedoodledandee - thank you.

It might be worth finding a GP you can talk to about your mental health. They will be the ones to know what support is available in your area including non NHS, voluntary sector, social prescribing etc and it is good to have them as a point of contact and support e.g. if things need chasing up with the mental health team.

In my experience it's been slightly easier to speak to the GP of your choice since the pandemic.

Speak to your GP about your struggles with sorting out your medication. They could ensure you receive weekly packs with the tablets in bubbles for each day and time of day. That would, at least, alleviate one of your problems.

I have a relative who has had 2 x 5 minute conversations with their psychiatrist since march and 1 x 5 minute chat with a new CPN. It seems to me that the staff at the Community Mental Health unit are all on one big doss.

If you start to struggle more, could you contact the crisis team?

@MajesticWhine - thank you for the advice

@Calmandmeasured1 - that is exactly what I need a blister pack - I used to get given one on home leave. I have 8 meds 4 x day in different combinations and it is so much to sort out. The problem is the pharmacy I use don't do blister packs or put in prescription requests (which another issue as some need ordering weekly, some fortnightly and so on!) so I need to try and find a better pharmacy. I know it doesn't sound like much to sort but I already have loads on my plate. Sometimes I only manage a shower, make food and put dishwasher on and that can be a struggle (I have post-Covid fatigue as well as mental health struggles).

@Calmandmeasured1 - yes, Crisis team is an option - not that I've found them very useful in the past.

I completely agree with you OP.

I work in a crisis team (sorry you've not found crisis services that helpful in the past, we try our best!) and we are all working and seeing clients face to face, but our colleagues in other services are not. It's so difficult and heart breaking having to refer our clients on to services we know will not be there for them, that will not be able to see them and at best willm offer a phonecall or video group. Most of the clients I've seen in recent months do not find video/phone helpful and need face to face interaction. I don't understand why my life is being put on the line and I'm expected to see clients (which I'm.happy to do because it's important and essential for the clients), but all my CMHT colleagues are being protected and staying at home behind screens. Are their lives more important? It's ridiculous. People with mh difficulties need support now as they did before. MH services need to be available and stepping up.

I was about to suggest a blister pack for meds, too.
Mental health is not well-supported generally. I find it shocking how little healthcare you have had since discharge. Definitely get onto your GP practice.

I have a SEN child with MH issues. CAMHS was shit before COVID due to staffing issues and is still shit. However thryhave been doing some limited f2f appointments.
I hope you get the help your need.
Dd has now missed over a year's education and is only now getting 3 hours a week

I'm sorry to hear of your struggles OP, but can really related. My CMHT discharged me despite a recent hospital admission. I haven't had any contact with anyone since and am receiving no treatment. Due to my social circumstances it really is possible for me to die and no one even notice. I feel totally lost and in some ways abandoned. I'm glad not to be in hospital as it has always been a negative experience for me, but am really struggling to cope with the added anxiety of covid and isolation from the rules.. all the best

Mental Health is overlooked overworked and under resourced
I do agree with you completely I know those who work in this sector are generally doing their best but the structure is not strong enough to bear the reality of the crisis out there

I need to try and find a better pharmacy. I know it doesn't sound like much to sort but I already have loads on my plate. Sometimes I only manage a shower, make food and put dishwasher on and that can be a struggle (I have post-Covid fatigue as well as mental health struggles).
I understand and know that medication is a lot to sort out for someone with MH issues. I sort out the meds for a family member because there is not a chance that they could manage this at all.

You need to inform your GP that you are really struggling with sorting your meds. Ask them to organise for another pharmacy, who they know will do the bubble packs for you, and also deliver them to your home. My friend has MS and severe epilepsy so is on a lot of medication at various times of the day and Boots pharmacy do her weekly bubble packs.

If there really isn't another pharmacy near you who could help, do you have anyone else who could help you? Are there any voluntary services who could help?

I bought weekly dosette boxes for my relative, which are split into morning, lunchtime, teatime and bedtime. What I do is order and collect their medication every 28 days and then put it into the boxes for them. I then monitor to make sure they aren't forgetting to take them.

The MH unit did suggest sending someone in to give the medication to my relative each day but this was to reduce reliance on me. My relative didn't want the intrusion and I don't mind doing this for them anyway. I presume this is what they did for you that they no longer do. I can't see why they can't come round with a mask on and do this.

@IHateThisVirus - yes, I find it hard to put my finger on why but I need f2f. It's strange that you are doing visits but not others. I know you're doing your best! It was more the structure than the people that weren't helpful. I found it hard having a different stranger (especially men) come into my home every day.

@Northernsoulgirl45 - I'm sorry to hear that

Oh, @purpleframes - that is awful, I'm so sorry. Is there anyone you can turn to? A friend or family member or even a GP?

Lots of variety in which MH services do f2f here too. I've moved jobs this year but saw people f2f if needed in the community, whilst psychology stopped completely. Ran clinics weekly, but our medics worked from home 4/5 days and were reluctant to see patients. Our intensive dementia team haven't stopped and have continued to go above and beyond. IME it's dependent on the managers direction, and how compliant the staff are with it (or how imaginative they can be - we have done a LOT of walks with patients ).
The outfall from this year will be huge and both MH services and society is not geared up for it at all.

@Calmandmeasured1 - thank you for understanding. It's a Boots I use currently that won't do the blister packs. I'll try and get on to my psych nurse to help me sort it out and if not the GP.