"Very confused "

I had a review with CMHT and at the meeting with two staff members, one talking, the other taking notes, I was promised that I would be referred for a particular therapy and sent away with “we will be in touch “.

In due course I received an extremely badly written letter, riddled with grammar and spelling mistakes. My first name had become something else twice (not my name). It became evident that everything I said during the meeting had been completely dismissed. I was told to participate in community based activities/ support that I had already told that I couldn’t access and some of it isn’t even

available in my area. The tone of the letter was patronising and uncaring but what upset me the most was a complete lack of any mention of the referral for therapy. Not even so much as an explanation as to why not.

I was referred to the CMHT after a suicide attempt by the psychiatric liaison team at Musgrove hospital, who seemed to think that my situation was serious enough to warrant a referral.

I feel completely let down and alone in my mental health struggles and also completely dismissed and also that I have been lied to. Why say that a referral for therapy is going to be made when it seems that the intention was never even there?

I’m writing this at the time of the Coronavirus pandemic and understand that services are stretched but my review was before this and I find myself totally disillusioned and unsupported and cannot understand why the services seem to pass clients/patients from pillar to post only to tick some box somewhere.

How does this help anyone?

I feel desperately sad that we are told to speak out and seek help but when we do, there is no help.