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Feeling failed by community mental health team

Posted By 711user

"Feeling failed by community mental health team"

About: Three Towns Resource Centre / General Psychiatry

(as the patient),

Over the past year or so I have been struggling with low mood, suicidal thoughts and self-harming, this has became more intense over the past couple of month to the point where I am having suicidal thoughts every day, which is really frightening me.

Throughout my adult life I have been treated for anxiety and depression.

I am attending a counsellor to help me deal with historical abuse issues, which has led to me having uncontrollable flashbacks, which again frightens me.

I also suffer with severe physical health problems, which I tend to take in my stride.

I have been attending my gp for a good few weeks now regarding my low mood, suicidal thoughts ect, both gps that I have seen have been really understanding and supportive and on a few occasions I have been refered to the CMHT.

I have been open and honest to how I am feeling when I have attended CMHT and told them exactly how I feel. I have told them about the suicidal thoughts, self harm and the fact that I attempted to act on one of my suicidal thoughts.

I have been told that there is nothing they can do for me as they believe it is the factors such as my physical health, the abuse and other things such as my housing and social circumstances that is causing my low mood.

Although I feel that and understand that these issues may be a contributing factor to how I am feeling, I have tried to convey to them that I believe there is more to how I am feeling.

I can't explain exactly how I am feeling on this blog, but the one thing I do know is that I know my own body, my own feelings and thoughts and what my coping strategies are, and no matter how bad I have felt in the past, one of my coping strategies will work to pick my mood up, this is not happening. I know there is something more deep rooted. I know that it's not just the above mentioned that is causing me the feeling that I am feeling.

The thing that is bothering me about this situation, is that I do not feel that I am being assessed by the cpns properly, as I do not feel that they are willing to look past the above mentioned issues. I know that I'm being listened to, but I'm not being heard. I am now at the stage where I feel stuck in a dark place and now have to deal with this on my own, as I have lost belief in CMHT.

I know there is absolutely nothing I can do about my situation, but take things hour by hour and day by day, but I would like others who are struggling the way that I am not to be left feeling let down by CMHT and would just like to ask, is it maybe time for protocol to be looked at for when people who have other physical health problems attend cmht?

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Responses

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 29/12/2016 at 14:08
Published on Care Opinion at 15:25

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear 711user,

I am so sorry you have been feeling so low and that you feel the CMHT have let you down. I really can’t imagine how difficult and frightening this must all be.

I also appreciate you are telling us that you do not have any confidence in the service now but we want to put that right. I have had a chance to speak to the team leader in the centre today and she is keen to offer you the support and help you need.

Can I please encourage you to contact Gillian, the team leader, on
01294 470010. Gillian will ensure you are both heard and listened to.

We can then look back at the journey to help identify any issues needing attention, for example whether there is an issue for people with physical health problems attend CMHT.

Take care and please call Gillian today,

Best wishes,

Eunice

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Update posted by 711user (the patient)

Dear Eunice,

Thank you for your your quick response, I appreciate it.

Unfortunately I do not feel able to contact the CMHT regarding my issue/issues, as my belief in the CMHT and self confidence have been completely shattered.

The purpose of me writing this was to share my experience, as I feel it is important that people who are suffering with mental health issues are not just listened to, but they are heard and don't feel let down the way I do.

I know I just have to take things day by day just now, but I just hope that when people read my story,whether that person is a patient, carer or relative of someone with a mental health problem, who also have a physical heath problems, that if that person doesn't feel that they are being listened to and heard, and that person thinks or believes what the cpn is saying is wrong, that they have the courage to say something.

Thank you. 711user

Response from Eunice Goodwin, Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team, NHS Ayrshire and Arran 7 years ago
Eunice Goodwin
Patient Feedback Manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Quality Improvement and Governance Team,
NHS Ayrshire and Arran

I respond initially to most of the posts and ensure they are passed to the appropriate team whether they are compliments, observations or grumbles. It is important to make sure all issues are addressed and I try to encourage that to happen for all the posts as required.

Submitted on 04/01/2017 at 09:31
Published on Care Opinion at 10:05

picture of Eunice Goodwin

Dear 711user,

I applaud your courage for being able to speak up to us and I completely respect if you do not wish any further action. But I am sad if we can do nothing to help you.

With your help, I would like us to find a way to regain your confidence in the CMHT and get you the support you need. If you would like to contact me you can call me on 01563 826222 or by email at eunice.goodwin@aapct.scot.nhs.uk so we could talk through some options.

I have also added these numbers below. They may be well known to you, but just in case they are not, here they are.

Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87 (Open Mon-Thurs 6pm-2am and weekends 24 hours)

Samaritans - 116 123 (Open 24 hours)

Living Life is a free telephone service - open Monday – Friday, 1pm – 9pm 0800 328 96550800.

I do hope you get the support you need and get better.

Best wishes,

Eunice

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