Community mental health team - The Gateway or pathway first

serenity2
serenity2 Online Community Member Posts: 248 Empowering
in Mental health and wellbeing
Anyone any experience of the CMHT referrals nowadays. My GP referred me as I was struggling after a tragic bereavement and other things that I wasn’t coping well with.wanted to see if therapy or whatever would help, although I didn’t feel on this occasion I was ready for more therapy. After a while they text back from ‘The Pathway or Gateway’ to say ‘contact your GP we are recommending you take medication’ Apparently all referrals go via the gateway now or pathway can’t remember which, they didn’t speak to me or my GP just recommended via text message I approach my GP for meds….anyone know more around this process at all.



Comments

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    You have done such a great job in reaching out to us @serenity2. I have not experienced this personally but according to Rethink Mental Illness, you can access the community mental health team through referrals from:

    • NHS local urgent helplines
    • GPs
    • Other primary care services, such as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
    • Psychiatric Liaison Teams in A&E
    • other mental health teams
    • social services
    However, it sounds like you have had a really difficult experience with this and not feeling ready for therapy and, therefore, being recommended medication. How are you feeling about the medication recommendation?

    Do you get the impression that medication was recommended instead of therapy or whilst waiting for/alongside therapy? Grief can take a toll on all of us and it reflects the difficult circumstances you are facing, rather than you as a person. 

    Sometimes, the very least you deserve is a conversation about these things. I am sorry to hear you were not offered that opportunity. We are here for you if you would like to talk to us further about this or if there's anything else we can do to support you  :)
  • serenity2
    serenity2 Online Community Member Posts: 248 Empowering
    Thank you @L_Volunteer
    i was not expecting a meds recommendation at all. Didn’t wish to take any strong meds as need to be alert to do things. Already exhausted. 
    I really was looking for some support, but my experience wasn’t great I guess, didn’t really get a choice or even a chat. I’ve not bothered again but been Pursuing advocacy without any luck sadly..
    really appreciate the reply thank you so much !
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    As you say @serenity2, sometimes even just a chat/choice and someone to listen would be nice! Would anything help at the moment?

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