"Very upset and angry at the dismissive treatment"

Received a phone call from a staff member.

A group for emotional coping skills was set up with no date to start when first discussed.

I did receive a letter for date start but i had already organised to be away.

I let the mental health team know.

Unfortunately because of this i missed two of the appointed dates.

The concern for me was the phone call i received on the day of my return.

The staff member telephoned me speaking to me like i was some naughty child, informing me that because i had missed two sessions that i was being kicked off the course, but they would be nice & put me back on waiting list for next one, but if i missed another they would not see me anymore.

Basically i was being punished in my eyes for sorting something out myself that helped my mental health greatly.

It was the power dynamic , the way they spoke to me, triggered me massively. I was very upset and angry at the dismissive treatment from this staff member.

This goes very deep into my own childhood trauma of being branded a naughty child.

There was no understanding , they didn't give me chance to explain why i had missed the appointments, it felt like all they cared about was disciplining me.

There was no set date in mind when the group was decided, they just sprung it on me weeks before it was due to start & no consideration for me having my own plans and life and no leeway.

My concern also was i spoke to another person who was attending the same group who was looking forward to me being there  & they also informed me there was only three other people in the group.

The way i see it is there was room for me to attend, and with genuine care for patients this should have not been a problem.

I am only attending because its a hoop i've got to jump through to get a diagnosis that i've been long waiting.

I know how to cope emotionally, otherwise i would be dead!

Very long story regarding mental health services for myself and family history and this power dynamic and lack of care is what needs to change.

Lived experience creates genuine understanding and care but this staff member instead left me feeling worse off after one conversation. People who work with other people need to care about people and i didn't feel that at all from this member of staff.