"I was not able to properly vocalise my urgent need"

I contacted the mental health hub in November 2023 as I was feeling very suicidal. My thoughts were confused and I had difficulty vocalising how I was feeling.

When I got through I was asked questions from call handler including asking whether I had taken drugs or alcohol. I object to this question as I have a mental illness and have done nothing to cause it.

Anyway as I was not able to properly vocalise my urgent need to speak to the mental health team I was not given the opportunity to speak to them and advised to contact psychiatric services when open.

I contacted breathing space who saw me through the night. The next day I called for the mental health hub and got call handler who was patient and ascertained the seriousness of the situation. I was able to speak with mental health. It felt to me it was like a lottery as to whether you got to speak to someone or not.

Why when I have bipolar and feel suicidal am I subjected to questioning about drugs and alcohol use?

Are people who call 111 for a significant physical illness asked to confirm their current condition is not due to drugs or alcohol? I find these questions are derogatory. Mental illness is not an addiction and should not be treated as such. 

Shortly after this incident I was hospitalised for my own safety. If it hadn't been for breathing space there is a chance I could have lost my battle with this illness because the specialist service set up to help was denied me as I was too ill to make my needs clear to a call handler.