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| How easy is it to get help for a mental health problem? Five different stories | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| How easy is it to get help with mental health problems in the UK? It’s a topical issue, with reports of long waiting lists and some people being sent miles from home for treatment. Our mental health services are struggling to meet demand – and the government has vowed to invest more money to make improvements in England. | How easy is it to get help with mental health problems in the UK? It’s a topical issue, with reports of long waiting lists and some people being sent miles from home for treatment. Our mental health services are struggling to meet demand – and the government has vowed to invest more money to make improvements in England. |
| The level of care you get appears to vary, depending on where you are. New guidelines recommend that people with anxiety and depression should get talking therapies within six weeks. This is happening in some places but not others. | The level of care you get appears to vary, depending on where you are. New guidelines recommend that people with anxiety and depression should get talking therapies within six weeks. This is happening in some places but not others. |
| We asked our readers, and people across Britain voiced the same concerns: long waiting times, care or therapy time-limited and not always tailored to individual needs. Many also spoke of a “postcode lottery”. | We asked our readers, and people across Britain voiced the same concerns: long waiting times, care or therapy time-limited and not always tailored to individual needs. Many also spoke of a “postcode lottery”. |
| Here’s a selection of those responses – and we’re keen to hear more. | Here’s a selection of those responses – and we’re keen to hear more. |
| Iris, 35, from Wales: Services have been reduced dramatically in the last decade. I feel abandoned | Iris, 35, from Wales: Services have been reduced dramatically in the last decade. I feel abandoned |
| I have been in and out of mental health services for nearly a decade and have seen a dramatic decline in the support available. I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. When I first sought help I was in London and because the borough boundary changed, the health authorities couldn’t agree which local authority service should treat me. After about a five-month delay I got into the system and things improved. However, waiting times for therapy sessions have increased since then from about about four months to 18 months. | I have been in and out of mental health services for nearly a decade and have seen a dramatic decline in the support available. I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. When I first sought help I was in London and because the borough boundary changed, the health authorities couldn’t agree which local authority service should treat me. After about a five-month delay I got into the system and things improved. However, waiting times for therapy sessions have increased since then from about about four months to 18 months. |
| Now I am in Ceredigion, Wales, which has no day services or after-hospital care. The only support is offered by a “local” charity some 35 miles away. As a family living on benefits and a pension we often can’t afford to drive to them. | Now I am in Ceredigion, Wales, which has no day services or after-hospital care. The only support is offered by a “local” charity some 35 miles away. As a family living on benefits and a pension we often can’t afford to drive to them. |
| My local care service has now discharged me because in London, I completed a more thorough version of the group therapy they offer in Wales. It hadn’t made much difference to my mental health and they had nothing else to offer. The good thing about mental healthcare in the UK is that it’s free, but because I’ve already had the only treatment offered in Wales and it didn’t work, they seem to have just given up on me. I feel abandoned. | My local care service has now discharged me because in London, I completed a more thorough version of the group therapy they offer in Wales. It hadn’t made much difference to my mental health and they had nothing else to offer. The good thing about mental healthcare in the UK is that it’s free, but because I’ve already had the only treatment offered in Wales and it didn’t work, they seem to have just given up on me. I feel abandoned. |
| Chama Kay, 25, from London: Only one of the many mental health professionals I saw engaged with race as an issue | Chama Kay, 25, from London: Only one of the many mental health professionals I saw engaged with race as an issue |
| My family moved from Zambia to the UK when I was 11 to pursue a better life through education. I grew up believing that the mental health system was for soft Europeans who didn’t know what real struggle was, so it was hard when I experienced difficulties at 16. I thought getting professional help was contrary to the values that made me a proud and successful African man and, when I did access care, the road to recovery was far from smooth. | My family moved from Zambia to the UK when I was 11 to pursue a better life through education. I grew up believing that the mental health system was for soft Europeans who didn’t know what real struggle was, so it was hard when I experienced difficulties at 16. I thought getting professional help was contrary to the values that made me a proud and successful African man and, when I did access care, the road to recovery was far from smooth. |
| I often felt mental health services didn’t quite know how to handle me, failing to engage with my personal experiences and how they impacted on my mental health. Yes, many of my issues were linked to my diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, but the symptoms of any mental illness are real to the person living them. Gender, race, sexuality and the way the world views you are realities for the individual. Only one of the many mental health professionals I saw over four years touched on race as an issue. Until then I never felt mental health professionals fully engaged with me, so I could not engage with them. | I often felt mental health services didn’t quite know how to handle me, failing to engage with my personal experiences and how they impacted on my mental health. Yes, many of my issues were linked to my diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, but the symptoms of any mental illness are real to the person living them. Gender, race, sexuality and the way the world views you are realities for the individual. Only one of the many mental health professionals I saw over four years touched on race as an issue. Until then I never felt mental health professionals fully engaged with me, so I could not engage with them. |
| Cori, 31, from Southampton: I found getting help through my university straight-forward and really helpful | Cori, 31, from Southampton: I found getting help through my university straight-forward and really helpful |
| My mental health issues came to a head after a family member recovering from alcoholism relapsed. I was an American studying in the UK and feeling homesick. When I got the news I was already dealing with the stress of my course. I thought: “I need to get help.” | My mental health issues came to a head after a family member recovering from alcoholism relapsed. I was an American studying in the UK and feeling homesick. When I got the news I was already dealing with the stress of my course. I thought: “I need to get help.” |
| I was experiencing depression and anxiety but also guilt because I was so far away from home. An overall feeling of despondency and helplessness washed over me. The anxiety I was feeling seemed to be bigger than me and beyond my control. | I was experiencing depression and anxiety but also guilt because I was so far away from home. An overall feeling of despondency and helplessness washed over me. The anxiety I was feeling seemed to be bigger than me and beyond my control. |
| I contacted the mental health services advertised at my university. On their website they clearly listed their resources and how they could help, and they directed me to their short-term counselling service. In the US counselling is not always easy to get and can be expensive. It was so comforting for me to have access to such a high-quality free service. I felt the university wanted to take care of me, and at last there was a safety net for me. For the first time I actually had access to care. | I contacted the mental health services advertised at my university. On their website they clearly listed their resources and how they could help, and they directed me to their short-term counselling service. In the US counselling is not always easy to get and can be expensive. It was so comforting for me to have access to such a high-quality free service. I felt the university wanted to take care of me, and at last there was a safety net for me. For the first time I actually had access to care. |
| After I made the initial contact they screened me to find the most appropriate therapy. It was terrifying waiting in the lobby to finally talk about something I’d kept bottled up for years. I broke down during that initial visit, but the interviewer was incredibly encouraging and understanding; she told me how they could help and what to expect. I started counselling; it’s been really helpful and I’ve made progress. The only downside is that it’s short term – six to eight sessions per academic year. | After I made the initial contact they screened me to find the most appropriate therapy. It was terrifying waiting in the lobby to finally talk about something I’d kept bottled up for years. I broke down during that initial visit, but the interviewer was incredibly encouraging and understanding; she told me how they could help and what to expect. I started counselling; it’s been really helpful and I’ve made progress. The only downside is that it’s short term – six to eight sessions per academic year. |
| Hayley, 33, from London: I rent, so like most Londoners I often move about. Continuity of care is almost impossible | Hayley, 33, from London: I rent, so like most Londoners I often move about. Continuity of care is almost impossible |
| I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 16, and then with PTSD at 28. I was able to access help for the PTSD around two years later and continue to live with clinical depression. | I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 16, and then with PTSD at 28. I was able to access help for the PTSD around two years later and continue to live with clinical depression. |
| I moved to London in 2009 and experienced difficulties accessing care. When I first arrived I was added to a waiting list for mental health services and started seeing a counsellor. But then I had to move to a new flat in a different borough with a different primary care trust. I went to the bottom of a new waiting list. Many people in the capital face this problem because, for various reasons such as having to move out due to rent rises or being asked to leave by their landlord, renters move around, and continuity of care is hard to achieve. | I moved to London in 2009 and experienced difficulties accessing care. When I first arrived I was added to a waiting list for mental health services and started seeing a counsellor. But then I had to move to a new flat in a different borough with a different primary care trust. I went to the bottom of a new waiting list. Many people in the capital face this problem because, for various reasons such as having to move out due to rent rises or being asked to leave by their landlord, renters move around, and continuity of care is hard to achieve. |
| Also, waiting times vary greatly between boroughs – from a few weeks to two years. I was always relieved and surprised if a borough said I need only wait a few weeks to see someone. Long waits would leave me in limbo, trying to hang on, often suffering very bad episodes and ending up off work or in hospital. | Also, waiting times vary greatly between boroughs – from a few weeks to two years. I was always relieved and surprised if a borough said I need only wait a few weeks to see someone. Long waits would leave me in limbo, trying to hang on, often suffering very bad episodes and ending up off work or in hospital. |
| Hannah, 24, from Sheffield: It was only when I reached crisis point that I got the help I needed | Hannah, 24, from Sheffield: It was only when I reached crisis point that I got the help I needed |
| I was carrying on with life as best I could after some traumatic life experiences. I am a positive and resilient person, but a series of events left me anxious and depressed. I had panic attacks and increasing difficulty sleeping and eating. I lost a lot of weight and ended up having a stress-induced psychotic episode. | I was carrying on with life as best I could after some traumatic life experiences. I am a positive and resilient person, but a series of events left me anxious and depressed. I had panic attacks and increasing difficulty sleeping and eating. I lost a lot of weight and ended up having a stress-induced psychotic episode. |
| Several times I went to my GP to explain my situation and ask for a referral to mental health services such as cognitive behavioural therapy; but I was on a long waiting list and it wasn’t until I went into crisis and had an acute psychotic episode that the NHS responded. | Several times I went to my GP to explain my situation and ask for a referral to mental health services such as cognitive behavioural therapy; but I was on a long waiting list and it wasn’t until I went into crisis and had an acute psychotic episode that the NHS responded. |
| When they did, the care I received was incredible. I was looked after extremely well during my stay in a psychiatric hospital. I was visited every day by my care coordinator, a psychiatrist, doctor or support worker, I had three hot meals a day and was offered occupational therapy such as pottery, yoga and gym sessions in a supportive environment that helped me regain the strength to overcome adversity. After I was discharged I was visited regularly by my support worker. There was another waiting list to see a psychiatrist, but after about four months I was being seen twice a week every week. | When they did, the care I received was incredible. I was looked after extremely well during my stay in a psychiatric hospital. I was visited every day by my care coordinator, a psychiatrist, doctor or support worker, I had three hot meals a day and was offered occupational therapy such as pottery, yoga and gym sessions in a supportive environment that helped me regain the strength to overcome adversity. After I was discharged I was visited regularly by my support worker. There was another waiting list to see a psychiatrist, but after about four months I was being seen twice a week every week. |
| My mood and hopes of recovery did dip, but once I received the service it was life-changing. In my experience the response to crisis such as psychosis is excellent, but more money needs to be put into providing access to mental health services when the problems first start so they don’t have to escalate to the point that mine did. | My mood and hopes of recovery did dip, but once I received the service it was life-changing. In my experience the response to crisis such as psychosis is excellent, but more money needs to be put into providing access to mental health services when the problems first start so they don’t have to escalate to the point that mine did. |
| Tee, 45, from Coventry: It has taken over 20 years to get a diagnosis that makes sense | Tee, 45, from Coventry: It has taken over 20 years to get a diagnosis that makes sense |
| I first experienced mental health problems as a young person, but they went undiagnosed. The problems were marked by a serious depression and an inability to sleep. By 18, the depression had become ingrained and lengthy. I went to university, had a breakdown and was unable to finish my degree. | I first experienced mental health problems as a young person, but they went undiagnosed. The problems were marked by a serious depression and an inability to sleep. By 18, the depression had become ingrained and lengthy. I went to university, had a breakdown and was unable to finish my degree. |
| Now aged 45, I recently received the dual diagnosis of bipolar 2 and ADHD. I have tried most medications but they haven’t worked, and I now manage my condition without medication. | Now aged 45, I recently received the dual diagnosis of bipolar 2 and ADHD. I have tried most medications but they haven’t worked, and I now manage my condition without medication. |
| When I was 18, I had my first experience of therapy with a university counsellor who had a profound and positive impact on my life. I have seen various private therapists since then with varying levels of success. | When I was 18, I had my first experience of therapy with a university counsellor who had a profound and positive impact on my life. I have seen various private therapists since then with varying levels of success. |
| I’m afraid my experience of NHS services has been negative. It has taken over 20 years to get a diagnosis that makes sense. My mental health problems haven’t always been taken seriously. I’ve found it almost impossible to get appointments with a mental health team and have often been told that I am too highly functioning for dedicated resources. I also feel that my gender has gone against me. There has been a definite attitude of “you’re a man, pull yourself together” from some mental health staff. | I’m afraid my experience of NHS services has been negative. It has taken over 20 years to get a diagnosis that makes sense. My mental health problems haven’t always been taken seriously. I’ve found it almost impossible to get appointments with a mental health team and have often been told that I am too highly functioning for dedicated resources. I also feel that my gender has gone against me. There has been a definite attitude of “you’re a man, pull yourself together” from some mental health staff. |