I tried to help my daughter access mental health services. It was difficult to find the right service online. My daughter made contact and had an assessment and was referred to another service which meant another phone assessment- she was told she would be contacted in 2 weeks but she had to follow it up after over 2 weeks and was told it would be longer due to Christmas holidays. She was getting more and more desperate and it resulted yesterday in her calling me to say she felt scared that she might take her own life. I took her to Ealing A&E, she was an urgent case but if was difficult waiting in a full waiting room with an agitated crying young woman. I thought at one point she might walk out. It would be helpful if there was a quiet place in the waiting area. Once we were seen (about an hour) things moved quickly and well. We now have a plan and a promise we will hear back on Monday. It feels too hard to access these services if you are vulnerable. I had been scared before about taking my daughter to A&E as I thought she may be admitted and we would lose control. She was treated brilliantly with understanding and inclusion. She already feels more positive and so do I.
"Access to mental health services"
About: Ealing Hospital / Accident and emergency Ealing Hospital Accident and emergency Southall UB1 3HW West London NHS Trust West London NHS Trust Southall UB2 4SD
Posted by Potemkin (as ),
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