I need to know what happens if I ask for help

[bookishmumof5]

I'm a single mum, I've struggled with mental health for years but I'm currently at my lowest. I think I need help...the crisis line or hospital or something but I'm too scared of losing my kids. They don't see their dad so he can't take care of them.

I'm assuming if I ask for help, child services will be called. I'm due in court next month to hopefully get full custody of them permanently (ex was abusive to us all and is unsafe) but having child services involved because of suicidal thoughts is not going to help. I'm scared of losing them altogether.

Can anyone tell me what will happen if I call the crisis line and tell them I'm actively suicidal? And about any child services involvement?

I'm so desperate, I don't know what to do.

im a single parent too and I called my GP and just explained everything and I was prescribed meds as I’d had talking therapy before.
The GP listened asked difficult questions which I included questions about suicidal thoughts and self harm and I was honest in all questions. Social services haven’t been involved with me, I think if I’d left it much longer I’d have been in crisis ans would have needed intervention and perhaps they would be involved then.

i had GP check ups every 2 weeks in the beginning then monthly and now it’s every 6 months unless I need help

My GP has been next to useless unfortunately. I'm on meds and he just adjusts them and tells me to call the crisis line. I got in touch last week to let them know about my thoughts and was given an appointment on September 9th.

Thank you for responding. I hope you're doing better now.

I can tell you from experience that the only time social services will be informed is if you say or imply that you will harm the children.

Please seek help and please understand that depression LIES! Everything it is telling you right now is LIES. I was actively suicidal in 2017, had a plan and a back up. I got through every day, one by one. I got help and I’ve been well ever since. You can get better and you’re not destined for a life like f constant relapses.

Just don’t do anything to hurt yourself today. And please get some help. I promise you this world, and particularly your kids world, is better with you better with you in it.

Can you ask to see a different GP? Having the support of a good GP makes the world of difference

It's OK op. I echo the PP who stated mental illness LIES to you. It does, try not to listen to the intrusive thoughts.

You will get through this, one hour at a time if necessary.

The crisis line will not involve social services unless they have too to find placement for example if you did need hospital admission.

Do you mind me asking you what meds and what dose your on and any history? I have a lot of experience with them as a patient and as a carer and just want to understand a bit more wether there is any possibly to up them or change them that might help.

If you are feeling actively suicidal right now call the samaritans or keep speaking to us samaritans is 116123

Is there anything else they would do that isn't hospital admission? I can't bear the thought of that. I've called the crisis line once before, but wasn't suicidal then and the guy was not helpful - he suggested I come off my meds!

I've had treatment resistant depression and anxiety for about 16-17 years. I also have CPTSD and ADHD. I've tried just about every antidepressant there is and have switched to Venlafaxine in the last month. Metazapine was my last one and that did nothing. I also take propranolol for anxiety. No ADHD meds right now.

Unless you live in an amazing area the crisis team won't hospitalise you or do much of anything probably tell you to have a cup of tea, go for a walk, run a bath.

You won’t be hospitalised even if you mentioned suicide, you have to be really really really bad to get in one
I went to a&e in a really bad state and suicidal, they checked me out over 2 hours
then told me to go home have a nice bath & cup of tea 😡

Im on venlafaxine also a month is very early days
150mg is the therapeutic dose for anxiety. Suicidal thoughts are quite normal when taking a new antidepressant
It took me about 12 weeks to get there before I started to feel little better. I wasn’t eating , very little sleep and constant ruminating and suicidal thoughts .

Give the med time to settle down and the suicidal thoughts will stop
what dose are you on

I'm on Venlafaxine 225 g per day. Couldn't live with out it. Literally. When you're broken inside you get little demons telling you that you're worthless and you would be doing the world a service if you died. Your family would be better off without you. NOT TRUE!!!!!

@bookishmumof5 please be patient, the meds will work and get you out of the black hole. You might need to adjust dosage every once in a while depending on your mood. But remember this:

1. You are worthy of living, all humans are no matter how imperfect we might find ourselves.
2. Things do get better with time (and treatment!)
3. Your family will not be better off without you- quite the contrary. If you CS your children will feel unloveable forever thinking that it was all their fault.

❤️❤️❤️ from one who has been on the dark side

Actually I was referred to social services and they were understanding and helpful. The threshold to get children removed is incredibly high and only if you cannot keep them safe. Have you reported previous partner for abuse? Social services were keen to make sure I was getting all the help I was eligible for.

I’ve been in a psychiatric hospital twice, I would not recommend. They don’t help in my experience, it’s just a place to be kept safe if it’s decided you’re unable to keep yourself safe at home.

I was on 300mg venlafaxine and was taking quetiapine on top. I was numb!
Turns out I am intolerant to anti depressants (I have bipolar and cptsd) so now take a mood stabiliser and an anti psychotic. I am the most stable I’ve ever been.
You need to try a different and more understanding GP, honestly it makes all the difference having someone who will actually listen and actively help.
Just remember you are not alone, you are your kids whole world and nothing is as bad it might seem right now.
All the best.