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NHS mental health team referral rejected - can anyone shed some light?

60 replies

wawawewa · 26/01/2026 14:25

Back when I still had a job that provided health insurance, I was seeing a private psychiatrist. I have had serious MH problems my entire adult life to the point of needing residential treatment on multiple occasions, and I remain on high doses of three different psychiatric medications.

I can no longer afford to see the private psychiatrist now that I don’t have insurance. He wrote to my NHS GP to ask them to continue prescribing my medications so I wouldn’t have to pay for those privately, and this has worked well.

At my last GP appointment, I asked if I could be referred to a psychiatrist/mental health team/someone or anyone within the NHS system. I’m stable at the moment, but when things get bad, they get really bad, and I want to be under some kind of MH care for when that happens again (sadly it’s probably a “when” not an “if”).

I highlighted to my GP that I felt strongly that I needed specialist help, and that I was really worried about another bad episode coming on - and that I don’t want to be on a waiting list with Samaritans on speed dial when it does. I also highlighted that it was important to me to stay on the medication I’m taking right now - it was a long and difficult road to find the right combination, and I don’t want to change it now that it’s working.

My GP made the referral and got back to me saying the referral was rejected, and that the MH team would only see me if I wanted to “reduce or stop” my medication.

Of course I understand that the NHS is under huge pressure and needs to prioritise urgent referrals, but I’m a bit surprised that mine was totally rejected given my history? Surely I could have at least been put on a waiting list? Who does qualify for the referrals, only people who are in crisis at that very moment?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

OP posts:
SnowyRock · 16/02/2026 09:24

Fawful · 15/02/2026 23:33

I think it’s a bit outrageous that preventative psychiatric care doesn’t exist in this country. Other countries manage to provide it, so I don’t buy that it’s a luxury that a country can’t afford. It’s little wonder that we end up with mentally very ill people attacking others with knives if we wait until they are in crisis to then give them the very minimum we can get away with. Apparently there is to be a renewed focus on prevention in the NHS, I hope it encompasses mental health… We as a society pay for it in other ways if we are not going to provide psychiatric evaluations to people who need it. It’s not actually a big ask.
When my DC was acutely ill with OCD, I was told “this does qualify as an emergency, so we’ll put you on a waiting list for urgent care, and in the meantime, hide your knives.” Not only was it stupid advice regarding someone with OCD but it shows that emergencies are not even taken seriously - we waited for six months for a referral… It could have ruined his life, if we’d not had enough money to go private. Compared to my home country where you can see a psychiatrist whenever you want, I don’t get it, what is wrong with this country?
My other DC would benefit from preventative care too but again we’ll go private, even though we can’t really afford it.
Sorry OP, I think you deserve this care and am outraged for you too.

Around 20% of people have some form of mental health condition. If we regularly saw 20% of people rather than those in crisis the system would absolutely collapse and those who actively need help wouldnt get it.
The unfortunate reality is that those who don't generally actually need as high a level of support (personality disorders, anxiety etc) often request the most contact, and those who do need a higher level of input (schizophrenia/psychosis/severe depression etc) often dont seek out the support independently and are resistant to it. So on self reporting it would look like we aren't seeing those requesting support frequently, whilst in reality we are giving high regular levels of support to many who aren't actually wanting our input but do really need it.

theworldhasgoneinsane · 16/02/2026 09:26

SnowyRock · 16/02/2026 09:24

Around 20% of people have some form of mental health condition. If we regularly saw 20% of people rather than those in crisis the system would absolutely collapse and those who actively need help wouldnt get it.
The unfortunate reality is that those who don't generally actually need as high a level of support (personality disorders, anxiety etc) often request the most contact, and those who do need a higher level of input (schizophrenia/psychosis/severe depression etc) often dont seek out the support independently and are resistant to it. So on self reporting it would look like we aren't seeing those requesting support frequently, whilst in reality we are giving high regular levels of support to many who aren't actually wanting our input but do really need it.

Show quote history

Absolutely spot on response
This exactly

RedToothBrush · 16/02/2026 09:31

wawawewa · 26/01/2026 14:43

@MumtoGPW yes, I’m really shocked at the complete disregard for preventative or continuous care

My GP will not support continued care. They point blank refuse. So you have to start the whole process from scratch with the NHS.

The mental health service where I am doesn't exist. I don't tick the correct boxes even though my GP says I have a problem. She's been shocked at how I've been treated over the years.

It's an exercise in hoop jumping like a performing seal. If what they propose is completely inappropriate you are screwed.

Find the money.

WhamBamThankU · 16/02/2026 09:46

NHS are useless with mental health in my experience other than putting you on medication. I was referred for talking therapies with my gp believing I have PTSD and was told that my case was ‘too complex’ to get help. I can’t afford private treatment so I’m just 🤷🏼‍♀️

Fawful · 16/02/2026 12:20

SnowyRock · 16/02/2026 09:24

Around 20% of people have some form of mental health condition. If we regularly saw 20% of people rather than those in crisis the system would absolutely collapse and those who actively need help wouldnt get it.
The unfortunate reality is that those who don't generally actually need as high a level of support (personality disorders, anxiety etc) often request the most contact, and those who do need a higher level of input (schizophrenia/psychosis/severe depression etc) often dont seek out the support independently and are resistant to it. So on self reporting it would look like we aren't seeing those requesting support frequently, whilst in reality we are giving high regular levels of support to many who aren't actually wanting our input but do really need it.

Show quote history

Unfortunately as my experience and that of others on this thread shows, it’s also impossible to see a psychiatrist even in a crisis, so something is really, really wrong with the system. Politicians then wonder why people are claiming PIP and are off work - there is a cost to society for having people wait months for assessments as well… And like I said, there are no gatekeepers to seeing specialists in some countries, so it’s a choice, and a very short-sighted one.

ShawnaMacallister · 18/02/2026 08:35

I'm stable at the moment, but when things get bad, they get really bad, and I want to be under some kind of MH care for when that happens again (sadly it’s probably a “when” not an “if”)

This isn't how NHS mental health services work. You can be referred if/when you become ill again but you can't be under services just in case.

ShawnaMacallister · 18/02/2026 08:37

wawawewa · 26/01/2026 14:40

@BillieWiper nope, absolutely nothing…
@KurtCobainLover I don’t think “keeping you on just in case you need them” is what I’d call it - surely there also needs to be preventative and continuous healthcare!?

Provided by whom? Not only do services not have the budgets to provide this kind of care, the humans to do the jobs don't exist. It's very difficult to fill some MH roles and even if the NHS had unlimited budget to provide the kind of service you propose, they would struggle to find the people to do the work!

Fawful · 18/02/2026 09:37

It’s something to aim for and plan for. On Radio 4 this morning they made the point that Mental Health makes up 20% of the burden of disease in the UK and the funding currently is not reflecting that at all. I feel people may agree to pay a bit for an insurance style top up system, if it meant there was adequate timely service

Youmustwakeup · 18/02/2026 10:21

OP, of you tell us what support from CMHT you want it might be easier to answer.

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