"IAPT triage is a joke!"

After an extremely difficult period I have been referred to access IAPT.

I rang and was given a 'triage' appointment.

The triage was useless probing into my life, breaking me down to a state where I was sick and sobbing then to tell me as I wasn't going to kill myself I could have no help; if in another four months time I still felt like this then maybe I could have help.

At the end the operator asked what I wanted to do, I rang them for help, if i knew I wouldn't have need to call.

I asked what options I had as the picture painted had been bleak at best.

Ring crisis support or go to your GP if you feel like killing yourself seemed to be the salient point as was the mentioned over and over.

I was patronised, felt belittled, ashamed and physically sick and far worse than before I had this call.

In fact on top of my already fragile metal state I now feel anger and hatred, thanks making things worse for me.

I can't offhand think of any other NHS service who do not speak to their client as a human being and seem so unwilling and reluctant to provide support. This call should have been the pinnacle of support and help for people in need and this sort of autocratic attitude is simply not appropriate for dealing with someone in need of help and support.

I have come away feeling IAPT is a good wayon paper to look like the NHS are doing something to help however for me its simply over-promising and under-delivering.

I imagine the figures look good though; one 30 minute triage call. tick the box 'not eligible for help' and that's another person dealt with.

It is mental health day tomorrow, please for goodness sake make a change to this service and make it right for the people who need support.