Poll Has The Mental Health System Ever Failed You?

[Smushroom]

I am from Australia, and I pay $60 per session with my T after getting a referral from my GP. The governemnt would put $80 or $90 in per session( not quite sure the amount but it was one of those two) But as of the beginning of this year, they have cut a lot of mental health funding out of the budget. Instead of being able to access up to 18 sessions with the government rebate, now, we have a maximum of 10. I am sure I am almost at the end of my 10, or even past it, and I am just waiting for my T to tell me I will now have to pay the full amount of $150. I cannot afford $150 per session, weekly, or even fortnightly. I will now only be able to see my T once a month. I have recently accessed an online free service, and will have to use them in conjunction with my T.

It's not fair... Just as I begun to reach out for help, they take it all away from me...

 

[Ice_Fire]

Apologies if this post comes up twice, my phone went funny and it didn't look like it had posted so I'm trying again.

It's not fair... Just as I begun to reach out for help, they take it all away from me...

Oh dear. That's not good, it definitely isn't fair. This makes me grateful for the NHS, despite it's faults. I hope it works out okay for you Smushroom.

 

[Smushroom]

Thank you Ice_Fire. I suppose it is not so much the mental health system, more the government. We have a really great medical system here, but just not enough support for mental health.

My private health insurance will only cover a further 3-4 sessions, and then that is it...

 

[OMNICELL]

The system has failed me a few times. However, the system saved me as well; I will explain!

The therapist roster was solid; meaning, good general therapy. I needed a real diagnosis, a more specific.
I went outside the system for better therapy; I found it. I was homeless when they put on SSI and got housing for me. The system saved me, the locals did not. For that I am extremely grateful. I have a chance at a second life.

One humorous situation presented its self when a new therapist arrived fresh out of school. She was a nice girl looking at a second career. I worked with her for several months. To my astonishment, one day she sat me down, told me I was using the system as a crutch; using her as a cheerleader. I was shocked! Stunned! This is the first therapist and the last therapist that ever talked to me this way, she was fired on the spot. Later, I found that she transferred to the children's section. The realities of real therapist?; she was not prepared for.

 

[Ricanoland]

Don't Get Me Wrong The System Has Left Me For Dead A Few Times, But I am now Disabled on SSD, in my first apartment, getting all my meds, and seeing many doctors every week. So yes it has been rough but I have been saved, and I am so lucky... I am so lucky to be alive.

 

[NarcSis]

Resounding Yes. Crisis Line counsellor who didn't know what to say to me. Trauma EAP counsellor who placated me, wasting my precious time. If it weren't for my family doc, putting me in contact with an excellent therapist,I would have died by my own hand years ago.

 

[robi]

Yes and no would be my response. I have had good therapists & have also had bad therapists. A lot of the time I was in therapy I felt like an exotic animal. I felt like the therapists did not, at times, know what to do with me. :unsure:

I have sought out numerous types of therapeutic treatments, such as Gestalt, EMDR, and Radix therapy as they became the fad during a specific time frame. I have also been inpatient after a suicide attempt & was greatly disappointed with the mileau, yet it gave me a break from my out of control life.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Yes and no. I have had good therapists and I have had very bad ones. I am not currently in therapy, I see a psychiatrist and will be starting emdr in a week. I have learned I wish I had been on this forum when I was first diagnosed. It would've made a profound difference for me. Interesting discussion.

 

[Anna]

Yes big time. I got referred by my gynaecologist when I was 17. During which my therapist told me I could always call and make an appointment with her when the therapy had ended.

Ha! A year or so later, I had a really bad event. Tried to make an appointment. Got a rude dumb secretary lecturing me on how you cannot do that, you have to get referred and the waiting list is 6 mths long....

What f*cking ever...

Therapy was good. Problem is the waiting times and the idiots who are not qualified making appoinments dishing out rude uncivil behaviour.

 

[Chondra]

Therapy was good. Problem is the waiting times and the idiots who are not qualified making appoinments dishing out rude uncivil behaviour.

I am sorry you have to deal with this Anna. I wish they would realize it is a full package deal when it comes to mental health care. The entire experience matters.

Your post makes me very grateful for the high quality support staff at my therapist's office. I detest the automated phone system they have, but the office staff are real gems.

 

[Malia]

Big yes. I've been to so many different counselors and I still haven't received any real help. They told me that I would just "get over it". I also had doctors at the hospital make fun of me for attempting suicide which caused to hang myself in the hospital once.

 

[OKRADLAK]

I honestly wonder if they even know what they are doing half the time. Almost seems like the ancient sophists. You pay them and they spew philosophies around that may or may not be true. Just my take!