Too "well" for treatment

[SwearyG]

Am just reeling. Until 3 or so weeks ago I was actively suicidal until a tweak of my meds by the assessment and liaison team got me back on a more even keel. I'm still incredibly anxious, barely sleeping and have very bleak suicidal thoughts most days - though these days they pass and because I know they'll pass I can kind of ride them out. For most of the summer it was a constant thought.

Anyway I've just been told by my mental health liaison doctor that I'm being sent back to my GP as I am not sick enough to be referred onwards for any kind of treatment. I am just floored by this and don't have the energy to fight them - even getting this far has been an enormous battle.

It feels like they won't take me seriously unless I actually hurt myself. And that because I talk to them about my needs and what is going on for me they seem to think it's all talk and not serious.

I don't know what to do.

I have no advice I’m afraid other than to just keep attending the GP.

Services are so stretched that it does seem as you say that you need to be right st crisis point to get help.

I’m sorry you’re struggling. I hope you have support around you.

My only suggestion would be to keep talking honestly to your GP about how you are feeling. It's possible that they can refer you on to further services even if your current team wont.

Sadly funding for MH support is woefully poor. Someone I know took an overdose but survived. MH team saw her, got her to fill out all the forms, then told her she wasn't ill enough to need support. Guess what she did a few months later? Yep - another overdose. I shit you not.

Is there any way you can get private care - through your own work or through a partner's work? If you have private medical insurance it's worth finding out what they will pay for. Otherwise is there any way you could afford a few private sessions? If you could afford a few, possibly they could write a letter saying that you are genuinely in need of extra care and it would persuade the NHS services to get involved.

I was in a similar boat to you. Because I was open and honest I was deemed well enough and passed back to the GP. No referral for further support, despite having taken an overdose.

As others have said, it's a funding thing. Which is frustrating. Are their any local services you can self refer to? Waiting lists may be long but it might get the ball rolling for you.

Hugs and for you.