"Using the Psychological Resilience Hub"

I’m 29, have a long history of MH issues - mainly anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder . I’ve had a lot of contact with adult mental health services both in the community and through Cornhill since about age 17 . Mainly long waiting lists, appointments at Cornhill that have required time off uni, then work, sometimes trips that can take 2 or 3 hours depending where you’re travelling from ... all very anxiety provoking and often I felt unable to talk properly to the doctor . Sometimes just in the Consulting room for 6 minutes . 

With the COVID19 crisis my mental health did decline a bit again , but I can honestly say I haven’t ever been more supported by a mental health team . Within 24 hours of the need being apparent I was given medication to help me in the immediate short term, and then longer term medication provided by my GP . I was given immediate access to mental health nurses through NHS24, and told I could phone as and when required . 

I was then pointed in the direction of the psychological resilience hub, and supported in doing a self referral .

Within 24 hours a psychologist phoned me; he understood immediately what I was needing. He understood my thought processes, and discussed things sensitively and with obvious massive knowledge . 

I felt so comfortable as I was at home, I didn’t have to travel, I didn’t have to wait and as a result I could immediately put into action the advice that was given , at the time that I needed the help . That’s not always been possible in the past at all, as the help can come six months after the breakdown if you see what I mean and by that time, some of your symptoms are gone past the point of managing ! 

I know the enormous value of being able to physically see, assess and examine a patient across all specialities (I’m a trainee AHP) but surely with patients who have an active diagnosis, who are relatively stable and perhaps already known to the GP, this could be a way forward ? It seems so much more convenient, more organised, and more sensitive to the needs of the patient . 

Thank you so much from a delighted patient, who sincerely hopes things will stay this way !!