"Mental Health Services: Llanelli"

I have suffered with major depression for about 8 years and had to retire from my senior post (within the NHS) on health grounds 6 years ago, because of depression. I am 49 years old. The nature of my illness sees me okay for a while, maybe even months, then something triggers my illness and depression really kicks in again and takes over my life. I moved to the Llanelli area 2 years ago and I feel that the standard of care/services provided in the area is poor. Briefly, the advice from my GP was to "get out and about more and meet people". Not particularly helpful, especially from a newly qualified GP who I thought may be more enlightened. Then I asked for referral to a Psychiatrist (at Brynmair Clinic). I have seen them roughly every 6 months when the usual course of action is to change my medication. However, a 6 month follow up review is not satisfactory when the medication is not helping and may in fact, have made the situation worse. I was also referred to the Community Mental Health Team, who seem like they don't really know what to do with me. In the meantime, sometimes I can cope on my own and other times I am suicidal and struggle through the night or day and try not to harm myself. The length of time I feel like this can vary from a day or two, or up to 3 weeks. I feel like I am getting nowhere and have very little support.