"Lack of counselling services"

I had a problem at work a few years ago which has resulted in me being anxious and depressed. My doctor referred me to the Community Mental Health Team in November 2016 for counselling which we both agreed was the best way forward.

After hearing nothing for over seven months I contacted the surgery who in turn contact the CMH team on my behalf. I was finally given an appointment for an assessment in July this year.

I attended the assessment with my husband as I was very anxious and in fact had vomited on route to the appointment. At the assessment, I was told there was a 50 week wait for counselling and I was offered instead a group treatment to help me manage my anxiety. I did state that I wanted counsellingand not to learn coping mechanisms as I was trained to deliver Ahead for Health training which I delivered to colleagues on a regular basis. As you are probably aware this deals with attitudes and coping mechanisms so I am very familiar with them. I felt I had no choice but to accept this option and was told I could not get counselling if I attended this group.

I became increasingly uncomfortable and really quite anxious about attending the group and went back to my doctor. My doctor agreed that it would not be beneficial to attend if I was becoming increasingly upset about it and she wrote to the CMH team again on my behalf requesting counselling.

I received a letter from North Ayrshire Primary Care Mental Health Team saying that the best option identified by the assessment was to attend the group and it would not be possible to offer me individual counselling. Instead the letter stated that if I did not attend the group I would be referred back to my GP for treatment.

I do not understand why I am being refused counselling when both myself and GP believe it would be helpful. It makes me feel that I am unimportant and that my mental health is not as important as meeting some criteria about waiting lists.