"Within minutes of meeting, I opened up, I felt safe with them"

I was referred to Occupational Therapy by my GP because I had anxiety and depression related to a decline in my mental and physical health due to Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). I also have other medical issues.

I first came into contact with Richard, an OT at Hunter Health, in May 2025. Richard phoned me to make an appointment and he introduced himself. I found him to be very professional and understanding. 

I had a face-to-face appointment with him soon after. At my very first meeting with Richard, my mental health was suffering very badly. My mood had never been so low and I was overwhelmed with very dark thoughts. I am normally a very positive person, who tries to do the right things to aid my mental and physical wellbeing.  

Within 10 minutes of us meeting, I opened up to Richard, as I felt safe with Richard. He asked appropriate questions, including if I had any suicidal thoughts. I said yes. I actually had a plan of how to take my own life. I had never shared this with anyone before.  

I did not plan to reveal the extent of my mental struggle but I felt that it was the right time, the right place and the right person to offload all my true negative feelings of hopelessness and despair. I will always be so grateful to Richard for listening to me and supporting me.  

I felt that I was useless and that I hated myself. Because I needed help with basic tasks, I thought that I was a burden to my husband and that he would be better off without me. My future appeared bleak as my condition was getting worse on a daily basis.  

Richard, on hearing of my plan to end it all, took immediate control of the desperate situation I was in and he told me he was going to speak to the emergency on call GP. 

After Richard had spoken to the emergency on call GP, Richard, in a very caring and empathetic manner, discussed with me how he was going to help and support me. 

The first and most urgent thing was that Richard discussed a safety plan with me and gave me a written version of our agreed safety plan. He also gave me a list of places where I could find help (the Lanarkshire Resource List).

Over the following weeks, I saw Richard on a regular basis. I took part in a 5 week behavioural activation programme, which I found time consuming but very beneficial.  We also dealt with breathing, how to deal with anger, stress, anxiety and negative emotions.  

Richard went over a lot of written material which included coping strategies. He also pointed me towards online help that was available. 

I am now in a much better place mentally, although I still have some way to go. I definitely have a much more positive outlook on life.  

My situation is now much better due to Richard, my GP and attending Neurophysiotherapy at Udston Hospital. My family and friends have also been a great support.  

Richard allowed me to speak freely, listened to me, guided and supported me to a healthier mental wellbeing.