"Let down by Leeds community mental health team"

As someone who has suffered from episodes of severe depression for many years, I have had a lot of contact with Leeds CMHT. At times this has been when I have been very unwell and vulnerable.

As I work for the NHS myself, I understand the pressures and financial shortcomings better than most patients. I find it hard to accept that this is an excuse for negligence, insensitivity and appallingly poor practices. I feel I have repeatedly been the victim of neglect and a lack of understanding or care at times when my safety was already compromised by my illness.

Examples include not being contacted when requesting urgent help, being spoken to insensitively or ignored when in visible distress, and worst of all my suicidal feelings bring dismissed. On that occasion almost cost me my life.

All these experiences mean I have no confidence in this trust, would not seek their services when unwell and find it even harder to ask for help when I am vulnerable.

I have also spent large sums of money on private mental health services. I resent having to do this as it has been a struggle and think as I hold down a full time job despite my problems and therefore pay for my care in taxes I don t see why I should pay again.

The conduct of some employees of this trust make me ashamed to be associated with the NHS. I now stick with private services and voluntary organisations.