HSE Mental Health service

cena · 26-06-2016 09:13PM #1

Have ever had to use the HSE Mental Health service. How did you find the service?

Owryan · 26-06-2016 09:17PM

Yep, and i followed the directions off a map

cena · 26-06-2016 09:18PM

Owryan wrote: »

Yep, and i followed the directions off a map

Not good so??

26-06-2016 09:19PM

The HSE does not have a mental health SERVICE. It does not provide a service to people with mental health issues. That's left to the private sector and voluntary sector.
For every person that dies on our roads, several commit suicide. Yet there is a hundred times the effort put into road deaths than suicide prevention.

cena · 26-06-2016 09:23PM

Deleted User wrote: »

The HSE does not have a mental health SERVICE. It does not provide a service to people with mental health issues. That's left to the private sector and voluntary sector.
For every person that dies on our roads, several commit suicide. Yet there is a hundred times the effort put into road deaths than suicide prevention.

Whats this than. http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/Mental_Health_Services/services/

iwahgao7 · 26-06-2016 09:26PM

cena wrote: »

Have ever had to use the HSE Mental Health service. How did you find the service?

Is there a particular service, institution or issue that you are interested in hearing about?

cena · 26-06-2016 09:30PM

iwahgao7 wrote: »

Is there a particular service, institution or issue that you are interested in hearing about?

First time post. Do you work for the hse?

bridgettedon · 26-06-2016 09:32PM

cena wrote: »

Have ever had to use the HSE Mental Health service. How did you find the service?

It can be very hit and miss. Also services in each county can vary so you may not get treatment you need but the next county to you may have it. Not very fair. Waiting times can be long. Rarely meet same psychiatrist at appointments which can hinder diagnosis.

I have recieved highly rated talking therapy through the hse. Treatment which has transformed my life. However like everything with the hse resources are limited and will be given to others who are deemed worse off than you.

26-06-2016 09:32PM

cena wrote: »

Whats this than. http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/Mental_Health_Services/services/

Have you ever been a recipient of the so called HSE Mental Health services? Have you seen the length of time it takes to see a psychiatrist or get a hospital bed for mental illness in this country?
2 weeks ago someone I know shot himself in the chest. He was left waiting months to get help from the so called mental health services. It failed him just like it fails hundreds of other people in this country every year.

Letree · 26-06-2016 10:17PM

I was sent to see a psychiatrist and they put me on meds and sent me to cbt. At no stage could i talk about my actual problems. The psychiatrist assessed me for mental illness and the cbt talked about how to avoid behaviors that were keeping my anxiety bad. There was nobody that i could have talked to about things i experienced in the past or problems i was having. I think you just have to pay for that privately from what i can see.

Potential-Monke · 26-06-2016 10:27PM

From my experience in dealing with them, not as a client, they've a lot of room to improve. Be it fobbing off to another department or person, or even service, or letting people with suicidal tendencies walk out of "secured" units, there seems to be no interest in helping. It appears, to me, that the people working there are either just there to do the bare minimum or they don't have the resources to properly tackle the issues. I'd go to my GP before them, as my current GP is amazing and genuinely seems interested in helping.

xLisaBx · 26-06-2016 10:31PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The HSE does not have a mental health SERVICE. It does not provide a service to people with mental health issues. That's left to the private sector and voluntary sector.
For every person that dies on our roads, several commit suicide. Yet there is a hundred times the effort put into road deaths than suicide prevention.

There are so many suicide prevention campaigns that I can't even begin to list them all, I'm not even going to try. It is drilled into us, as a nation, that we should speak up and seek help.

This is achieved through social media, TV, Radio, Schools, Colleges, posters etc. People will kill themselves either way, but the effort is certainly put in to combat it.

Sometimes, I feel that it can be over-targeted as an issue. Where I live, you can be waiting 2 weeks for a GP appointment, and it's a lot of mental health service seekers that get emergency appointments. So many hotlines and walk in services are available for the suicidal and self harming, but if somebody is physically ill, they can't call a hotline for antibiotics or other medication. Yet they seem to be less of a priority.

I just don't believe any more services are required for mental health, well not much more anyway, because every second campaign seems to be about suicide and depression.

bridgettedon · 26-06-2016 10:34PM

Imagine if Pieta house didn't exist, how many more suicides would we have per year. Do the hse provide money to that service or is it public donations.

26-06-2016 10:36PM

xLisaBx wrote: »

There are so many suicide prevention campaigns that I can't even begin to list them all, I'm not even going to try. It is drilled into us, as a nation, that we should speak up and seek help.

This is achieved through social media, TV, Radio, Schools, Colleges, posters etc. People will kill themselves either way, but the effort is certainly put in to combat it.

Sometimes, I feel that it can be over-targeted as an issue. Where I live, you can be waiting 2 weeks for a GP appointment, and it's a lot of mental health service seekers that get emergency appointments. So many hotlines and walk in services are available for the suicidal and self harming, but if somebody is physically ill, they can't call a hotline for antibiotics or other medication. Yet they seem to be less of a priority.

I just don't believe any more services are required for mental health, well not much more anyway, because every second campaign seems to be about suicide and depression.

Have you ever needed to avail of the mental health services in this country Lisa?

Xyzforsure · 26-06-2016 10:41PM

Have been through the system sadly a lot in the last ten years.

In my view it is old obsolete buildings, doctors who rush to get through their waiting lists and don't listen. Quick solution always seems more meds.

If you want professional help you need money.

I wish you well.

bridgettedon · 26-06-2016 10:47PM

Xyzforsure wrote: »

Have been through the system sadly a lot in the last ten years.

In my view it is old obsolete buildings, doctors who rush to get through their waiting lists and don't listen. Quick solution always seems more meds.

If you want professional help you need money.

I wish you well.

When it comes to mental health I think having the means to receive private care makes the world of difference. Short waiting lists, choice of therapy, same psychiatrist at appointments.

biko · 26-06-2016 10:49PM

They made me a Boards moderator..

percy212 · 26-06-2016 10:50PM

It is shockingly bad. Very long waiting times. Different "doctors" every visit. NO counselors. A complete failure in my eyes. Go private if you need help.

26-06-2016 10:51PM

There are ongoing campaigns on a regular basis in an attempt to make us aware of the importance of looking after our mental health and addressing the stigma that goes along with it.

Unfortunately these campaigns don't quite join up with the services on offer. Suicide is a huge huge problem in this country. Yes in some cases individuals will take their lives regardless of the help they have been given. Some. We must help all who present with suicidal ideation.

Mental health care isn't a one size fits all. A poster earlier mentioned they attended cbt when that wasn't what they needed. In the HSE you take what you are given. Now I do believe that those who have severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or major depressive disorder and are in the system as inpatients, the care is very very good.

For those who require weekly ongoing therapy without a psychiatrist's input? It's a different story.

Dyr · 26-06-2016 10:54PM

xLisaBx wrote: »

This is achieved through social media, TV, Radio, Schools, Colleges, posters etc. People will kill themselves either way, but the effort is certainly put in to combat it.
.

We have social media campaigns about cancer but we don't use that as an excuse for closing cancer wards

sunbeam · 26-06-2016 11:05PM

Letree wrote: »

I was sent to see a psychiatrist and they put me on meds and sent me to cbt. At no stage could i talk about my actual problems. The psychiatrist assessed me for mental illness and the cbt talked about how to avoid behaviors that were keeping my anxiety bad. There was nobody that i could have talked to about things i experienced in the past or problems i was having. I think you just have to pay for that privately from what i can see.

A clinical psychologist should be able to provide you with the kind of therapy you are looking for-provided that there is actually one based in the HSE community mental health team in whatever sector you are in. I faced the mother of all battles to be referred to one, but am hopeful it will help be face some serious long term issues which underlie my depression. CBT may work for some, but I personally found it completely useless.

r93kaey5p2izun · 26-06-2016 11:15PM

I have used it for myself, found it poor enough, eventually paid privately, found it quicker but still seriously lacking. I have extensive experience of it as family of a very seriously mentally ill person. I can't even begin to describe how utterly dreadful it really is and what a complete failure the system really is when it truly matters

Afaics it's all about inadequate superficial help for depression and anxiety, reasonable care of voluntary patients with serious psychiatric illnesses and sfa for those with serious psychiatric illnesses who can't/won't get treatment - then it's all about sweeping it under the carpet and lamenting what a terrible tragedy it all was when it inevitably all goes wrong. Then forget about it until the next time.

Letree · 26-06-2016 11:15PM

sunbeam wrote: »

A clinical psychologist should be able to provide you with the kind of therapy you are looking for-provided that there is actually one based in the HSE community mental health team in whatever sector you are in. I faced the mother of all battles to be referred to one, but am hopeful it will help be face some serious long term issues which underlie my depression. CBT may work for some, but I personally found it completely useless.

I would be in the same boat as you. Also i have been down the anti depressant road and i will not go down that road again. Not because of any major issue i have with them but they just didn't do much for me. I have a lot of crap id like to get off my chest and get ironed out and meds or cbt isn't going to help me. Im sure it would help others but its not what i need.

RayM · 26-06-2016 11:33PM

cena wrote: »

Have ever had to use the HSE Mental Health service. How did you find the service?

I used it around three years ago as an outpatient and found it to be quite good, but very, very stretched in terms of funding and staffing. As far as waiting lists are concerned, I think that varies from place to place. After being referred by my GP, I had to wait less than a month for a fairly brief appointment with a psychiatrist. He was clearly extremely overworked. All he really did was ask a few questions, scribble down some notes and prescribe medication. There was no couch or anything

It took place in a tiny windowless room in a community health centre. Reminded me of police interview rooms that you see on television.

I then had two or three appointments with a community psychiatric nurse, and group therapy for six weeks after that. Overall, I'd say it was helpful.

xLisaBx · 26-06-2016 11:40PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Have you ever needed to avail of the mental health services in this country Lisa?

I have! I started purging at 8 and self harming at 9, was nearly admitted at 15, but on the mend now

My post sounded harsh, but it upsets me when I, a rather ill person, cannot get an appointment with the GP because they prioritise mental health services so much. Mentally ill people have options like lifeline, pieta house etc. I have no other option but to see my GP in order to get a prescription for emergency medication. If said medication is not administered on time, I can end up hospitalised.

26-06-2016 11:47PM

xLisaBx wrote: »

I have! I started purging at 8 and self harming at 9, was nearly admitted at 15, but on the mend now

My post sounded harsh, but it upsets me when I, a rather ill person, cannot get an appointment with the GP because they prioritise mental health services so much. Mentally ill people have options like lifeline, pieta house etc. I have no other option but to see my GP in order to get a prescription for emergency medication. If said medication is not administered on time, I can end up hospitalised.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand this.
Say for example I needed to see my doctor. I would ring in the morning asking for an appointment. Regarding medication then you order your script in time before they run out. You make an appointment with your go in time so as you have enough meds.

xLisaBx · 26-06-2016 11:49PM

Bambi wrote: »

We have social media campaigns about cancer but we don't use that as an excuse for closing cancer wards

I don't want to close mental health services. It's just all we hear about. Believe me, I know just how important they are, but I'm tired of the endless campaigns and donations.

I notice that Ireland does very little to prevent the key issues that lead people to self harming and suicidal behaviour. These include bullying, poverty, homelessness, rape etc. But once you are self harming and/or suicidal, this wide variety of options become available. To me, that's just not good enough. Issues that lead to such a poor mental state need to be tackled. Then less people would need to avail of mental health services, so we would have adequate services as they are now.

Of course this wouldn't be a fool proof idea, some people have chemical depression and other illnesses. A certain level of mental health services are always required.

Shint0 · 26-06-2016 11:53PM

xLisaBx wrote: »

There are so many suicide prevention campaigns that I can't even begin to list them all, I'm not even going to try. It is drilled into us, as a nation, that we should speak up and seek help.

I just don't believe any more services are required for mental health, well not much more anyway, because every second campaign seems to be about suicide and depression.

You do realise that not everybody who commits suicide has a mental health issue. Targeting suicide prevention is not a solution for the multitude and variety of mental health conditions.

As Persepoly asked you have you ever been a user of the HSE mental health service or any mental health service? The general public drones on about seeking 'help' and if only people sought 'help' and knew that 'help' is available and all they have to do is rock up to their nearest mental health service provider and get all the 'help' they need then everything's alright with the world and crisis averted.

Sometimes the actual problem is the 'help' and many who have been users of such services can attest to that.

xLisaBx · 26-06-2016 11:54PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I'm afraid I don't quite understand this.
Say for example I needed to see my doctor. I would ring in the morning asking for an appointment. Regarding medication then you order your script in time before they run out. You make an appointment with your go in time so as you have enough meds.

If I call my GP in the morning, I'll be waiting a week at an absolute minimum for an appointment. I'm actually not entitled to repeat prescriptions (like many others), because I need antibiotics and steroids every time I fall ill. And if they are not taken within a few days, I will most likely be hospitalised.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 26-06-2016 11:59PM

There is such a horrible stigma attached to being mentally ill and I think the more people take it seriously and recognise it as being just as important as a broken leg or a chest pain, the better. Mental Illness left untreated can kill. It should be an absolute priority, just as much as any other life threathening illness.

It's not a dick waving competition. I have a flu, you're a bit sad. They're both as important as the other.

xLisaBx · 27-06-2016 12:01AM

Shint0 wrote: »

You do realise that not everybody who commits suicide has a mental health issue. Targeting suicide prevention is not a solution for the multitude and variety of mental health conditions.

As Persepoly asked you have you ever been a user of the HSE mental health service or any mental health service? The general public drones on about seeking 'help' and if only people sought 'help' and knew that 'help' is available and all they have to do is rock up to their nearest mental health service provider and get all the 'help' they need then everything's alright with the world and crisis averted.

Sometimes the actual problem is the 'help' and many who have been users of such services can attest to that.

Back down the thread I told Persepoly that I have availed of mental health services. The reasons are outlined too.

But help is available, I'm not sure where you are mistaken here? Pieta House, Lifeline, GP, Referrals, company counsellors and A&E.

27-06-2016 12:04AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

If I call my GP in the morning, I'll be waiting a week at an absolute minimum for an appointment. I'm actually not entitled to repeat prescriptions (like many others), because I need antibiotics and steroids every time I fall ill. And if they are not taken within a few days, I will most likely be hospitalised.

That is a long time to see your gp. Would you be willing to see whichever doctor becomes available the quickest?

Health issues are not a competition. Both physiological and mental health needs require an awful lot of input. I don't believe campaigns have any impact on the actual services being offered.

If I find myself in a psychological crisis tonight the only thing I can do is present at a&e. If I find myself experiencing physical symptoms tonight the only thing I can do is present at a&e.

27-06-2016 12:07AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

Back down the thread I told Persepoly that I have availed of mental health services. The reasons are outlined too.

But help is available, I'm not sure where you are mistaken here? Pieta House, Lifeline, GP, Referrals, company counsellors and A&E.

Pieta House and Employee Assistance Schemes will only offer six sessions. Now it might be a little more in Pieta. For many that's simply not enough. It can take up to two months for someone presenting to actually open themselves up a little.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k · 27-06-2016 12:09AM

Deleted User wrote: »

I'm afraid I don't quite understand this.
Say for example I needed to see my doctor. I would ring in the morning asking for an appointment. Regarding medication then you order your script in time before they run out. You make an appointment with your go in time so as you have enough meds.

If I rang my GP in the am, I'd be lucky to get an appointment before Wednesday.
I spent most of may being in and out of hospital with a serious disorder that went untreated until it finally blew up last month. I had fluid leaking from my brain into my nose and they told me it was a sinus infection!! I was no better after two weeks of anti biotics and went back and was told it was acid reflux!!
Two days later I was in hospital, and upon discharge I was told I'd have an emergency appt with a consultant in less than two weeks. I got an appt in the post for end of August! My dr referred my results onto another hospital in Dublin and they had me in within 6 days, and am finally being looked after.

It's the entire health service that's an absolute shambles, but we can't blame mentally ill patients seeking help either, they've every right to decent healthcare. It's just lacking right across the board.

Shint0 · 27-06-2016 12:10AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

But help is available, I'm not sure where you are mistaken here? Pieta House, Lifeline, GP, Referrals, company counsellors and A&E.

I'm referring to the nature and the quality of that so-called 'help' and the attitudes of some of the medical profession within those services which many users of mental health services have enountered. They don't always act in a patient's best interest.

xLisaBx · 27-06-2016 12:14AM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

That is a long time to see your gp. Would you be willing to see whichever doctor becomes available the quickest?

Health issues are not a competition. Both physiological and mental health needs require an awful lot of input. I don't believe campaigns have any impact on the actual services being offered.

If I find myself in a psychological crisis tonight the only thing I can do is present at a&e. If I find myself experiencing physical symptoms tonight the only thing I can do is present at a&e.

Where I'm living, my GP is probably the quickest to get an appointment with :pac:

I absolutely agree that both are equally important, don't get me wrong. But we have lots of focus on mental health, I rarely see focus on physical illnesses (bar cancers and certain heart diseases). If I wasn't studying Biomedical Science, I probably would never have heard of half the diseases I write about. Yet, without a shadow of a doubt, I would know a lot about mental illnesses.

sunbeam · 27-06-2016 12:20AM

Last week the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the RCSI launched a report detailing how cutbacks have impaired the implementation of the now ten year old 'A Vision For Change' mental health strategy.(key points here) They found that only 38 percent of respondents indicated that their adult community mental health teams were fully staffed.

The report is pretty damning to say the least and well worth reading in full, especially the comments from psychiatric nurses who took place in the focus group.

xLisaBx · 27-06-2016 12:21AM

Shint0 wrote: »

I'm referring to the nature and the quality of that so-called 'help' and the attitudes of some of the medical profession within those services which many users of mental health services have enountered. They don't always act in a patient's best interest.

I have heard many good reviews about Pieta. A quick Google search shows an abundance of free or cheap counselling options in Cork. So when the 6 from Pieta are over, people can go elsewhere to continue treatment.

Shint0 · 27-06-2016 12:26AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

I have heard many good reviews about Pieta. A quick Google search shows an abundance of free or cheap counselling options in Cork. So when the 6 from Pieta are over, people can go elsewhere to continue treatment.

I'm sorry but again you are focusing on suicide and self-harm. Not all people with mental health issues commit suicide or engage in self-harmimg behaviour as I said earlier not everybody who commits suicide has a mental health issue. The highest number of complaints made to the Medical Council are against psychiatrists. That's very telling.

r93kaey5p2izun · 27-06-2016 12:35AM

I think it's true that the whole health service is at breaking point and that no matter what your illness there can be issues getting access to services. But as someone who suffers from a couple of chronic physical illnesses requiring ongoing and occasional acute care, I still think the mental health service is in a significantly worse state. I don't think it's even comparable how bad things area.

Particularly when it comes to critical care and actual life or death situations. I think in the majority of cases you are likely to receive decent care when a life threatening physical illness occurs. Unfortunately I don't think that's true in the case of mental illness. And in the case of physical illness, when there are failings in the care provided there are highly publicised and well funded investigations and reports, there are campaigns to ensure individuals receive the treatment they need if it is not being provided. Where are the investigations into all the failures of mental health care that have led to suicide, murder and murder suicide? It's just dismissed as "oh he was depressed" or "oh he was psychotic, he refused treatment, what more could we do?".

howyanow · 27-06-2016 12:37AM

I would have had a mixed review of my experience of being an out patient in their care.
Negatives were long wait for an appointment,saw different psychiatrists who it seemed didn't read my file or else key notes from my previous appointment were not recorded so it was frustrating when they didn't know important things I had previously told them,felt the environment I.e the building and some staff were not very welcoming,it didn't feel like a caring environment to me but maybe that was my nerves about being there.
Eventually I got regular appointments with the same psychiatrist who I got on well with on a one to one but I felt the medication route was mentioned often and I didn't not want to do that.I was discharged after around 6 appointments and felt good initially but I then developed worse different symptoms and decided to try the private route which led me to a better overall service
I hope you don't find my post off putting as you may find it much better than I did and it's important to explore all options to find the right solution.

xLisaBx · 27-06-2016 12:37AM

Shint0 wrote: »

I'm sorry but again you are focusing on suicide and self-harm. Not all people with mental health issues commit suicide or engage in self-harmimg behaviour as I said earlier not everybody who commits suicide has a mental health issue. The highest number of complaints made to the Medical Council are against psychiatrists. That's very telling.

Public psychiatric units, public residential services, occupational therapists, all these can be used by people who are not suicidal but have other mental health issues.

I don't think many doctors don't care about their patients. I'm training to be a biomed, and am considering accelerated med afterwards, and I even care about hypothetical patients.

whatdoicare · 27-06-2016 12:38AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

Where I'm living, my GP is probably the quickest to get an appointment with :pac:

I absolutely agree that both are equally important, don't get me wrong. But we have lots of focus on mental health, I rarely see focus on physical illnesses (bar cancers and certain heart diseases). If I wasn't studying Biomedical Science, I probably would never have heard of half the diseases I write about. Yet, without a shadow of a doubt, I would know a lot about mental illnesses.

If you have an emergency you have southdoc in your area do you not? We have Limerick doc where I am and in an emergency I've found them very good. Seen straight away, no fuss, no problem. (I have serious asthma related problems, so I know the score on getting antibiotics and meds as fast as possible)

If you are unaware of this service, you should look them up.

For the OP, I have a relative with a very serious mental disorder - services are dismal and are just useless.

xLisaBx · 27-06-2016 12:42AM

whatdoicare wrote: »

If you have an emergency you have southdoc in your area do you not? We have Limerick doc where I am and in an emergency I've found them very good. Seen straight away, no fuss, no problem. (I have serious asthma related problems, so I know the score on getting antibiotics and meds as fast as possible)

If you are unaware of this service, you should look them up.

For the OP, I have a relative with a very serious mental disorder - services are dismal and are just useless.

We do have south doc, and it's saved me from A&E quite a bit, but when my own GP knows the routine sometimes I just prefer to visit them.

whatdoicare · 27-06-2016 02:12AM

xLisaBx wrote:

We do have south doc, and it's saved me from A&E quite a bit, but when my own GP knows the routine sometimes I just prefer to visit them.

I'm a bit confused here. You said you've no other option but your gp for emergencies. I pointed out that you do indeed. You said not only do you know of the service but you have availed of it......so mental health services aren't holding up your access to meds. Or have I totally missed what you said in your original complaint?

IvyTheTerrible · 27-06-2016 06:20AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

There are so many suicide prevention campaigns that I can't even begin to list them all, I'm not even going to try. It is drilled into us, as a nation, that we should speak up and seek help.

This is achieved through social media, TV, Radio, Schools, Colleges, posters etc. People will kill themselves either way, but the effort is certainly put in to combat it.

Sometimes, I feel that it can be over-targeted as an issue. Where I live, you can be waiting 2 weeks for a GP appointment, and it's a lot of mental health service seekers that get emergency appointments. So many hotlines and walk in services are available for the suicidal and self harming, but if somebody is physically ill, they can't call a hotline for antibiotics or other medication. Yet they seem to be less of a priority.

I just don't believe any more services are required for mental health, well not much more anyway, because every second campaign seems to be about suicide and depression.

How do you know that it's emergency mental health issues that are taking all the emergency appointments in your GP's surgery?

ciaradx · 27-06-2016 08:58AM

I've been through the mental services now for years and have been lucky with waiting times. I have a great GP but I did have to push for a referral to a psychiatrist which really annoyed me. Any other illness and your GP would refer you to a specialist much quicker but it took months for my GP to finally agree to send me. I got an appointment after 6 weeks with the public system and have found them great. I see the same registrar each time which is helpful.

Other than that, I've been seeing the same counselor for a year and she's been fantastic. We've done talk therapy and cbt and it's really helped. I'm very lucky that my college is covering the costs as I'm doing my PhD. Once I'm finished, I'll start paying her myself but it is costly. People who would struggle to pay for therapy end up being looked after by charities like Pieta house, Aware etc. These provide such good services but it's not right that we rely on charities for this and not the government.

Penny Tration · 27-06-2016 09:07AM

I've been through the HSE services and they've been disgraceful. Strong word to use, but it's true.

I've been through it more than once, thanks to having a chronic mental illness that flares up at times and needs additional treatment.

Waiting lists are ridiculous. At my worst, I was a 'high risk' patient. So high risk that my parents had to collect my medication for me, and only one week at a time, in case I tried to top myself (I didn't try).

Given how 'high risk' I was, which even included late night visits to a psych ward (where they had no space for me, so I was sent home after being asked by an idiot doctor why I didn't believe in god), I was basically top of the list to see a psychiatrist.

I was left waiting 3 months.

After that, I got appointments every three months, each with a different doctor. Each asked me the same assessment questions rather than treating me, every single appointment was the same. Each appointment, there was a student there listening in, so I wasn't even comfortable to talk. I was never actually given a diagnosis, just stuck on antidepressants that made me vomit, hallucinate and sleepwalk. One of them also gave my mother confidential information about me (not about a suicide risk, they're obliged to report that, but about personal issues I was having with my ex).

Counselling, I was waiting six months.

Then I went privately. 4 week wait, twice weekly psychiatrist visits until I got a therapist (then it was once a month). I was given a correct diagnosis within 6 weeks and taken off antidepressants (I never had depression!) and put on anxiety and bipolar medication. Therapy waiting list was 8 weeks and I was seen once a week at a minimum, with more appointments available if I was struggling.

Thanks to the PRIVATE health care system, I'm healthy, happy and not in need of any treatment currently. If I'd stuck with the public health system, I can hand on heart say I'd be dead.

For all the spouting they do about suicide prevention, they don't actually give a damn, in my experience.

Kimbot · 27-06-2016 09:10AM

I have spent the last year+ under the care of them and they have been fanstastic for me. If it wasnt for them I wouldnt be here right now!

Letree · 27-06-2016 09:43AM

xLisaBx wrote: »

Where I'm living, my GP is probably the quickest to get an appointment with :pac:

Blame the government for bringing in free GP care for under 6's. That has resulted in increased waiting times to see a GP as people predicted before it was implemented. If free GP care for all comes in expect to wait up to 3 weeks for an appointment as is the case in England.

Personally i don't think people with mental health problems are taking up too much time from GP's. People bringing up little Johnny or Mary with a sniffle are probably taking up more appointments.

I agree that there is a lot of advertising about various mental health charities. I don't really trust the charities as anything other than money making ventures. What percentage goes to the client services i wonder.

xLisaBx · 27-06-2016 10:44AM

Letree wrote: »

Blame the government for bringing in free GP care for under 6's. That has resulted in increased waiting times to see a GP as people predicted before it was implemented. If free GP care for all comes in expect to wait up to 3 weeks for an appointment as is the case in England.

Personally i don't think people with mental health problems are taking up too much time from GP's. People bringing up little Johnny or Mary with a sniffle are probably taking up more appointments.

I agree that there is a lot of advertising about various mental health charities. I don't really trust the charities as anything other than money making ventures. What percentage goes to the client services i wonder.

I agree with the under 6's issue. Parents are bringing children in with a runny nose and it really is contributing to higher waiting times.

HSE Mental Health service

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