"Single Point of Access Sheffield"

I've had to use Single Point Access (SPA) whilst in a crisis, only when in extreme suicidal states where I need very urgent help over the last 2-3 years.

If I'm lucky, I'll get a call back 5+ hours later. They're aware that I'm calling because I feel I cannot keep myself safe, live alone, so the wait time is too long. 

There's no actual help, you're told to have a cuppa and have a bath, with zero support, you're not listened to. I begged once to go to the decision unit (for mental health, a day place as I couldn't keep myself safe!) and was given excuses and put off. I've begged for help, but they fob me off. Call the GP or your mental health primary care team, they said, knowing that these places are not for when in a crisis! I'm repeatedly turned away, signposted to other services that can't help, sent round and round in endless circles with no help.

This leaves me  feeling like only place you can turn in a crisis, don't want to help.

Sometimes, SPA didn't bother to call back. This led me to self harm on several occasions, which is not something I do. If I'm in a desperate state and live alone, I feel they don't care enough to simply call you back... What if the worse thing happened?

I'd be home for days with no one knowing. 

It's extremely frightening and upsetting for me, that the only place I can go whilst in a suicidal mental health crisis, won't help or care, regardless of whether they decide to call you back or not.