I have suffered from mental health since the 1990's on and off but this bout of depression I am struggling to overcome, due to having no family support, friends and I cannot expect my children to support me as they are not old enough and don't understand.
I have been ill for 8 years now with other disabilities and have had lots of horrible things happen to me since 2006 as I can imagine have many people. I have been put on a very high dose of anti-depressant. I see a psychiatrist once every 6 weeks, I am on a long waiting list to see a psychologist and I have only just been granted a Mental Health nurse by letter. Nobody seems concerned about my welfare or vulnerability. All the professionals seem to want to do is get me out socialising, but tell me how can I do that when I am frightened to leave my house? I find maintaining friendships/relationships very hard and the slightest thing is causing me to have an episode and I cry everyday. What does a person with mental health have to do to get serious help and support try take their life or die then it is too late!
I tried to take my life 3 years ago, went to A&E, was asked if I wanted to go to Midpark. I said yes, but on the Monday morning I was told by the psychiatrist it was just a cry for help so off I went home, I was discharged with no further care and my children were removed from my care which broke my heart. Who got all the support? My ex husband, yet I had been literally begging for support to my GP for months before.
I fully am aware that with mental health you have to help yourself too, but it is very hard when you have no family or friends to support you. I don't like my children seeing me like this, I don't want to be like this, as I have other physical disabilities to deal with and when I have a severe episode I no longer phone my GP because what can he/she do? Nothing except tell me to sedate myself with a sleeping tablet.
I was referred to Social Work by a Mental Health Occupational Therapist & the SW wasn't interested in me wanting Personalisation or support. She then referred me to a Community Link Worker to get me out and about. Believe me when I say I do want to get out and about to have a life again but until my mental health improves both I and the lovely lady who is my Community Link Worker both know this. She goes above and beyond her role. She is the only one that actually listens to me.
Over the past years I have asked for CBT and other things to enable me to self help rather than rely on very stretched services. I won't entertain Support in Mind again which my psychiatrist wanted to refer me to but I said no because it just didn't work the last time. The support worker came once every 3/4 weeks and they wanted me to go talk in a cafe in my hometown. Well, I wasn't prepared for people around to be listening to my private business, amongst other reasons.
I feel in my area there is a lot of support for the elderly or over 60's which is fantastic but it feels like there is absolutely no support for anyone say from 30-60. No befriending service, offer of support workers, etc., nothing! ! !
I don't know what will happen to me five weeks to Christmas. It's supposed to be family and friends gather at this time of year. To me, everyday is lonely and Christmas will be no different.
"Mental health care for the vulnerable and living on their own"
About: Midpark Hospital / Adult Mental Health (inpatient) Midpark Hospital Adult Mental Health (inpatient) Dumfries DG1 4TN NHS Dumfries and Galloway NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Posted by Virgo (as ),
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Update posted by Virgo (the patient) 8 years ago