No help out there :(

redroses91

I am really struggling right now. Not eating or sleeping. Feeling overwhelmed as a lot is happening. I have autism. I have a mental health team and used to have a cpn but she left and we came to the mutual agreement that a future cpn wouldn’t be beneficial (tho I really could do with one rn). I got told they are recruiting new CPNS and even if I wanted one wouldn’t be possible. So all I have left is a consultant I see every 6 months. I requested to be referred to a support worker as I need help with day to day things and just to be in the background but with the way services are at the moment, how long is a piece of string. I understand everywhere is stretched. Do I go back to my GP? I don’t want to go on medication as it doesn’t work for me I just need someone to talk to, someone I don’t have to explain my background and what my situation is every 5 mins but a consistent person that’s what would help the most and it’s what kind of is my “medication” and can help with Uc because it might look like I can cope as I’m meant to be an adult but I just can’t and I beat myself up that I can’t and it’s one big spiral. I don’t have the capacity sometimes to understand what uc or whatever service it may be is saying to me on the phone or appointment. I can’t retain a lot of information. 

I just feel very alone and not able to turn anywhere for support, especially with everything I’m having to deal with right now. Ex partner moving out, Uc claim etc.. 

feels good to get this off my chest as I haven’t been able to say, Ngl I’m struggling rn. 

SueHeath

Good morning @redroses91 and welcome to our great group, i'm sorry to hear about your struggles, but it's great you've joined the forum.
When your ready have a look around the site, we have lot's going on,any problems just ask, some one is bound to be on line. Enjoy 

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @redroses91

Please keep an eye out for an email from community@scope.org.uk  

Stellar

your best option is to go private for therapy or look for free or discounted therapy via charities regarding mental health.

NHS mental health support in practise dosen't exist. same with social care unless you bug them so much it's borderline harrassment.

additionally there may be local advocacy charities near you that are worth contacting to help you communicate with services.

JBS2022

I know how you feel me and my husband's mother have been trying to get my husband a psychiatric evaluation( he has Schizophrenia) he has gone completely off the rails to the extent that he knocked down a wall in our rented property. Unfortunately the NHS won't do anything unless he's dangerous so I guess I'm gonna have to pay for private intervention. It's a really difficult situation and it seems paying is the only option for lots of people.

redroses91

I’m sorry to hear that @JBS2022 it’s awful that someone has to get to the point of crisis for them to do anything and it’s just so wrong everything is privatising. These are peoples life’s and the gov just doesn’t care.

JBS2022

I blame COVID for a lot of the issues, services are just so overstretched. It's sad that mental health issues that could be treated are deteriorating to the point of crisis.

redroses91

@JBS2022 I agree covid has made things a lot worse. It was also happening before covid but not to this level. In my opinion the mental health system has been “the silent pandemic” since the Tories got into power and covid finished it off. 

My daughters dad died because of the failings of his mental health team in 2015. 

JBS2022

redroses91 said:

@JBS2022 I agree covid has made things a lot worse. It was also happening before covid but not to this level. In my opinion the mental health system has been “the silent pandemic” since the Tories got into power and covid finished it off. 

My daughters dad died because of the failings of his mental health team in 2015. 

Interestingly I never had issues accessing mental health services for my partner before 2020, but I agree others have had issues before then that are well documented, more money needs to be allocated to improve care, I've lost many family members due to failures in mental health services. 

L_Volunteer

It sounds like you are experiencing a really difficult time at the moment @redroses91, especially with a lack of support (particularly from a CPN). I can hear how this is affecting your eating and sleeping and causing you to feel overwhelmed, especially as you have autism.

I am hearing the importance of more regular support for you, particularly with day-to-day things. Have you tried to contact your GP or another healthcare professional within the NHS about a needs assessment?

Consistency is key, especially for us autistic people (I am a fellow autistic!). You are doing better than you realise and it is super brave of you for being honest about how you are feeling and coping.

In terms of your ex-partner moving out and UC claim, do you have any particular questions or concerns at the moment that we might be able to support you with? We are here for you and listening to you if you would like to discuss any of this further or if there's anything, in particular, we can do to support you 

L_Volunteer

Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and experiences. This will be invaluable for anyone experiencing anything similar. 

@JBS2022 I just wanted to check in with you and ask you how you are managing at the moment. It sounds like you are going through a particularly difficult time, too, and we are here for you if there's anything we can do to support you 

durhamjaide2001

I'm going through a difficult time as well we are trying to get an advocate for me hugs to everyone who's struggling on here. We are in this together. We can do this together. 

JBS2022

L_Volunteer said:

Thanks everyone for sharing your tips and experiences. This will be invaluable for anyone experiencing anything similar. 

@JBS2022 I just wanted to check in with you and ask you how you are managing at the moment. It sounds like you are going through a particularly difficult time, too, and we are here for you if there's anything we can do to support you 

My GP is referring my husband to a mental health social worker, so hopefully he and I will receive the support we both need.

durhamjaide2001

I'm glad you have managed to gain the support you are needing for you and your husband but is there any help and support for you.

rebel11

JBS2022 said:

I blame COVID for a lot of the issues, services are just so overstretched. It's sad that mental health issues that could be treated are deteriorating to the point of crisis.

COVID, yes, but things have been going down hill for a long time, not enough investment, not enough Doctors etc. COVID has just accelerated the decline, that is where we are now. What is more important then mind and body? - nothing.  

JBS2022

rebel11 said:

JBS2022 said:

I blame COVID for a lot of the issues, services are just so overstretched. It's sad that mental health issues that could be treated are deteriorating to the point of crisis.

COVID, yes, but things have been going down hill for a long time, not enough investment, not enough Doctors etc. COVID has just accelerated the decline, that is where we are now. What is more important then mind and body? - nothing.  

Things definately need to improve, luckily my hubby is being referred to see a mental health worker. So fingers crossed things work out.

Alex_Alumni

That sounds positive @JBS2022 we'll keep our fingers crossed for you moving forward

L_Volunteer

That's great to hear @JBS2022! Wishing you both the best of luck with this. 

Please feel free to let us know how it goes and if there's anything else we can do to support you both / either of you 

FrankV

@JBS2022 I hear and feel your pain, but the level of professional help out there is a disgrace. I have been subjected to self harm twice in a court room in the UK and neither of the Judges did anything to help, in fact one of the Judges actually called security for their own protection rather than demonstrate any concern for my security. It's 2023 and yet it feels like we are still living in the dark ages when it comes to mental health welfare, despite all the legislation being passed, ie (in)Equality Act 2010 (which no one seems to know how to apply in the real world)! Sad to say, you're on your own and just be there and be strong for your husband, us men really struggle when facing mental health related breakdowns because we are supposed to 'man up and be strong', but we also reach points in our lives when we need support. A tip for the future, research s15 of the Equality Act and make sure you fully understand it. study chapter 6 in this publicservicesstatutorycodeofpractice it will be very useful to you and your husband, and especially when someone 'throws' their zero tolerance policy at you/him.

Before anyone comments on my post, please DO NOT empathise with me OR signpost me to any of these charities that are supposed to provide support as it is a trigger to my mental health and will likely have a detrimental effect on my person.