So Then Sir, What Kind Of Help Do You Think You Need?

[Laura 2]

I don't believe they assist suicide, my understanding is that they provide support to an individual who has already, unequivocally made that decision. That is very different to 'assisting'.

Interim policy for prosecutors in respect of cases of assisted suicide
Issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions [UK Crown Prosecution Service]

Introduction
1. A person commits an offence if he or she aids, abets, counsels or procures (referred to in this policy as "assists") the suicide of another, or the attempt by another to commit suicide. The consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is required before an individual may be prosecuted.

 

[digger]

They don't do any of that though. They're not helping people to commit suicide (aiding or abetting), nor are they counselling them to do so. If you read the website, their position is quite clear

"Will you stop me killing myself?
We hope that, through talking to us, you’ll get to a place where you see your situation in a different light.
But we respect your freedom to make your own decisions, including the decision to take your own life. We’ll continue to talk with you if you’ve taken action to end your life."
http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/what-speak-us-about/i-want-kill-myself

That's not assisting someone to kill themself. That's being there for someone who has made that choice for themselves.

 

[shimmerz]

Canada's federal government has failed to implement the 1995 United Nations guidelines for national suicide prevention strategies, the government has never formally acknowledged that "suicide is a national public health issue", and while Quebec, Alberta and Nova Scotia have provincial strategies, both Ontario and Saskatchewan lack them.

 

[cherryblossom]

I get this but the difference between our issues and a heart attack is that probing is just what we don't need 'in the moment' of crisis.

Sorry, if my post was unclear, but I talked about crisis lines, in particular, the UK Samaritans, and then moved on (or back?!) to the original post.

I apologise if I have misunderstood, but as far as I could tell from the first post @Santa_Laurie wasn't 'in crisis' when he saw the psychiatric assessor. I think you are misinterpreting my two completely different thoughts. 1st, I was addressing concerns over The Samaritans, and then I was addressing the the concerns originally posted by the thread starter. Two separate issue as far as I can tell.

Having said all that, in a moment of crisis, be it a heart attack or a mental health issue, the health care provider, may very well want to ask the patient questions, which the patient might not feel well enough to answer. I just see it as a medical professional trying to ascertain facts for themselves, before they provide treatment options.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Having said all that, in a moment of crisis, be it a heart attack or a mental health issue, the health care provider, may very well want to ask the patient questions, which the patient might not feel well enough to answer. I just see it as a medical professional trying to ascertain facts for themselves, before they provide treatment options.

Spot on. As a crisis negotiator when I took suicidal callers on 999 I fully understand this from my extensive training in this particular field.

I was not and am not in crisis.

I had already outlined my expectations in the GP referral to the therapy centre. My frustrations are borne out of the fact that even with this information to hand (I requested a copy of the GP referral so I know he included all of these in his letter) I was still asked the pro-forma question-set even though they were fully aware of my issues and goals/expectations.

I started this thread as I was frustrated at being batted around by the NHS like a tennis ball and for no other purpose but to help me process my frustrations and building rage.

I tend to post like this as I find the responses to me soothing and help me ground out effectively rather than bottling up my emotions.

This thread has gone so far off topic I am starting to feel sea-sick. That said I am very greatful to all responders as their responses have in fact had the desired effect. I have had a plethora of crap to deal with today since this appointment culminating in the knowledge that my ex-wife is soon to be moving our children a further 200 miles away from me. Talk about kick a man when he is down.

As my forum name suggests (Santa = Jovial large happy chap who makes people smile) That is my goal in life as I love it when I can entertain and make people smile and laugh (hence my silly games in the chat-room) Laughter and smiling are the best therapies IMHO and best of all they are FREE!..

Love you all and BIG fat :hug:gles and :giggle:s for everyone.

Meet me anytime in chat for a game of :hug: baseball and I will strike you all out before you hit first base.

TTFN (Big Friendly Santa_Laurie) :)

 

[Laura 2]

My frustrations are borne out of the fact that even with this information to hand (I requested a copy of the GP referral so I know he included all of these in his letter) I was still asked the pro-forma question-set even though they were fully aware of my issues and goals/expectations.

Since IAPT, they have all these generic, mechanistic forms that they must fill in when they have contact with you. It's supposed to be so that they can monitor your state over time and measure it against a norm (and for legal purposes). But, we're not machines, we don't perform consistently at the best of times.

The T chap I saw last looked at all the forms together on our 4th appt and noted disappointedly that 'there's no improvement'. Even though we'd discussed why and the unrealistic expectations imposed by the NHS's notion that a short burst of sessions would be adequate, he still relied on the forms to gauge my 'progress' (or was he concerned about how his achievement - or lack of - would look to his manager who'd similarly look first at the bits of paper?)

 

[Bravo06]

Im not a fan of those forms. :(
And the how many beers have you had in the last 2 months. ( Im a casual drinker, socially.) Well how many have you had? Im thinking I have no idea exactly. Know I am stressing about figuring out about beer. She was just so adamant about it. Those forms are not for everyone. They should be able to modify them to fit the person.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Well.

I could have fainted on the spot this morning. Assessment lady was listening after all. She phoned me up and they are refering me to a specialist military therapist trained in my type of trauma. I am being moved to specialist supported accomodation with an assigned keyworker again specialising in Combat PTSD .......... AND when I am ready to start independant living the Royal British Legion are funding my accomodation costs........ AND the charity I volunteer for are going to furnish my flat amd sort out crockery etc etc...... :wtf:

So end result....... huge day full of anxiety yesterday followed by probably the best day ever. :D

 

[Laura 2]

Wow! Ace! That's such good news all round. Congratulations for keeping going and persisting in telling them what you need...:tup::joyful:

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Hmmmmmmmm............. interesting !!

So I finish my shift in the volunteer charity shop and I bump into an old colleague....... Hmmmmmmm !!

Apparently I am on the local "Police watch out for this Individual" list as well........Hmmmmmm !!

That would exxplain my paranoia for the last ten months then when everytime a Police Officer in uniform walks past me they take note of me.....Hmmmmmmmm !!

 

[Laura 2]

I'd swear that 'paranoia' is the word people attach to you when they don't want you to know that they really are up to stuff behind your back!

Seriously though, you maybe should find out from the local police (via a FOIA request for example) what exactly they are 'watching' you for. It invariably helps to have ALL the facts and it would indicate that you're watching out for yourself - as well as watching them...

 

[Deleted member 20280]

@Laura 2 I have already instigated that request. Unfortunatelly for the Police here in my part of the uk ...... Hmmmmmm !! Oh yeah I worked.for them for fifteen years and have a very acute legal brain...... hmmmmm!! will they dare refuse my FOIA request...... hmmmmm !! me thinks not

;)