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How unwell mentally do you have to be to get help?

Posted By ToldToGoToBed

"How unwell mentally do you have to be to get help?"

About: Royal Edinburgh Hospital / General Psychiatry

(as the patient),

Tried everything. Every type of antidepressant and anxiety medication. The stupid mindfulness app that for some reason has been rolled out as an alternative to treatment. Exercising. Got myself off non prescription drugs. Currently signed off work. Scared to leave the house. Can’t sleep. Have excoriation disorder. Harm myself. A little bit of help would go a long way but I phoned MHAS tonight on the brink of seriously hurting myself and was told it was the end of the day and I should go to sleep. If only it were as simple as seeing things as the “end” of the day and being able to limit my feelings to just stopping because it’s 9pm. Been trying to get proper treatment for what feels like years after being diagnosed with PTSD. No help. This place has made feel more suicidal than I did in the first place.  

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Responses

Response from Brian McAuley, General Manager, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, NHS Lothian 3 years ago
Brian McAuley
General Manager, Royal Edinburgh Hospital,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 12/10/2020 at 14:59
Published on Care Opinion at 17:04

Dear ToldToGoToBed

Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. l am so sorry to read how difficult things are for you at this time and that you did not feel as though you got the support from MHAS you needed. The Mental Health Assessment Service is always available to contact when experiencing mental health crisis however on occasion a person’s expectation of contacting the service can differ from what is thought to be the best clinical approach for the person’s needs and I’m sorry this has been your experience on this occasion.

From what you describe you have had difficulties with your mental health for a period of time. You may find it helpful to contact your GP to discuss referral to your local mental health services which are still operating during the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you feel able, I would ask that you get in touch with the Patient Experience Team to see how we can help. Their contact details are;

Email – feedback@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Telephone – 0131 536 3370

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