"South West London & St.Georges Mental Health NHS TRust"

I have had some Severe difficulties coping with Stress, Anxiety and Depression since 2014. I've been prescribed increasing dosage levels of Anti-Depressant Medication, also completed a few sets of courses on CBT from NHS Sutton 'Uplift' (IAPS) - as suggested by my GP - as well as resorting to some Private Counselling / Therapy sessions.

The 1st two complete courses of 'Uplift' CBT were operated by phone - as that did not have quite such a long waiting list to obtain some Initial HELP when I did actually 'reach out' for some HELP / Support. They were not effective - I felt ALONE, distant / unconnected with the 'Uplift' staff in both sets of phone courses, and felt they were inexperienced, just going through a general standard procedure checklist / set of questions / issues - like a 'ticklist' - without being able to tailor / adapt anything to understand / help my individual personal circumstances, 'mix of issues' + needs. That 'Uplift' Phone Treatment was like a 'one size fits all' approach - when it does not really fit all.

A course of Uplift sessions in a small group adopted a rather similar approach but at least it was in front of an Uplift counsellor / therapist and with others, allowed some discussion, exchange of views / ideas and seeing that I was not the only person suffering Mental Health issues.

Two sets of face to face / 1 to 1 'Uplift' courses were somewhat more personal and useful in trying to adopt a less generalised approach to my specific 'mix of issues'.

For over FOUR Years the various NHS staff (GPs / Uplift etc) never mentioned 'The RECOVERY  COLLEGE' as a possible route to help me cope / function better !

It was not until 2019 that Uplift made me aware that 'The RECOVERY  COLLEGE' exists - even though it has in Sutton for around 12 YEARS !

I was eventually advised to attend a 'Recovery College Open Day' (drop in session) asap - where I could check / find out more about 'The Recovery College' - it's courses / options available, aims / objectives of each course, procedures, timetables / venues and likely suitability to me.

I am very glad that I was finally made aware of 'The Recovery College' - albeit very late in my treatment process.

Many Thousands of local residents / patients suffering Mental Health problems are no doubt receiving lots of different expensive types of Medical treatment (including for Physical ailments that are actually caused by / related to their Mental Health) - COSTING many MILLIONS of £ POUNDS in FUNDING - draining very limited local authority / NHS Budgets - that are probably largely or totally Wasted / Ineffective as Not being really suitable and Not tackling the 'Root Cause' issues / problems of the Individuals 'Well Being' !

Seeing the whole me

Doctor

Treatment

Pain relief

Calling for help

Introductions

Explanations

Being listened to

Involved in decisions

Future plans

Care staff

Other staff

For over FOUR Years the various NHS staff (GPs / Uplift etc) never mentioned 'The RECOVERY  COLLEGE' as a possible route to help me cope / function better !