Just wanted to say something positive about mental health services for once....

[dontrunwithscissors]

I know many people feel that they get rubbish treatment from MHT, but I've just had a really helpful meeting with my pdoc to say that the NHS isn't terrible everywhere. I'm sure that the biggest problem is a lack of funding; I'm very lucky to seemingly be in a place where that doesn't seem to be such a problem. I have a nice CPN, a fantastic pdoc, a very helpful and supportive acute response people. I've been able to see a clinical psychologist weekly for the last 12 months, and there's no limit on how long I can see her.

DOn't want to rub it in at all, but just wanted to put a pos viewpoint out there.

wow - wish that level of nhs service everywhere!

I co

I could say the same about my team, don't know about talking therapies though

6 sessions with a psychologist is most you get here. Helped a lot - just very jealous at thougth of long term therapy to actually really make a difference!

There are some great professionals out there, if one can see them.

Sorry, I was in a bit of a rush when I posted that. At the risk of repeating myself, I really don't mean to rub it in for anyone with crap service. I know I'm very lucky. I had a bit of a crap pdoc for a couple of months, although he wasn't terrible. Then I moved over to the person I see now - I had a 30 min appointment with her the other day, but she spent 1hr 10 mins talking my diagnosis through and going over stuff. (I was the last person of the day, which obviously made the difference.)

I'm with a trainee clinical psychologist, although I did have to wait about 7 months to see her. I was a bit unsure about whether psychology would help, but it has been truly amazing. I never realised how much my life/thinking is controlled by this illness. There have been a few moments when she's asked a question and it's suddenly all made sense. If I had to stop seeing her, I would do my upmost to find the money to go privately, although I dread to think how much that would cost.

I'm fortuntate to be in an area with very good healthcare overall. I think it might be due to the combination of being in a fairly small city, but with a very large medical school. So excellent facilities/range of healthcare, but not too many people putting demands on the system. It really is a postcode lottery. I'd think very carefully before moving away from this area.

I can't praise my community mental health team enough either. I have a CPN who comes out once a week. I saw a psychiatrist once a week for a year but now that's gone down to once a month.
I've been in a psych hospital too and the staff in there were amazingly brilliant. Full of patience and compassion.

I agree. When my brother was ill last year they were brilliant. They contributed hugely towards keeping our family together and, more importantly, bringing my lovely brother back to us. Thank you.