My Odd Disconnection With The Reality Of Death

[Smushroom]

Shellbell, When I said free, or cheap, medical care, I was talking about Medicare. In America, any sort of Dr visit or hospital visit costs money I believe, whereas here, we have medicare. Yes, in the end its paid for by taxes, but at least we dont have the astronomical costs that some have to pay.

You probably already have, but if you get a mental health plan from your GP, you are entitled to up to 10 sessions where the government will contribute something like $80 per session and then you just pay the gap. The funding was cut this year unfortunately, and it used to be more sessions.

There are a few services around, perhaps speak with your GP to see what they can do for you.

I have been in the hospital here in Aus and I was not' pumped full of meds and let back out'. Have you ever been into the hospital, or is this just what you have heard? Things have improved from years ago, although we still do have a long way to go.

 

[Shellbell]

Smushroom, sorry I thought you were referring to mental health services. Yes, I agree Medicare in Aus is a lot better than a lot of countries health system. As for mental health, 10 sessions a year is no where near enough to deal with severe PTSD from complex trauma. Although, I guess better than nothing. The public ward system, which is all I can access where I live is for active suicidal admissions only and I'm aware from others who have been through the system what it entails.

Sorry to the OP - I didn't mean to de-rail this thread. Was thinking I was missing some cheap mental health services I was not aware of.

 

[Smushroom]

I agree, 10 sessions is nowhere near enough, I think I used it up in the first month! But, better than nothing. The hospital near me is still public, but doesnt ONLY allow for just emergency/suicidal admissions. Must just be where you are located. There are however some other services, but I can try and do some research and message you a bit later if I can remember/come across anything that will be able to help you.

 

[Abstract]

What about charities? They have really helped me in the past in the UK. They are never free and are often time limited but still of help. Still tough though.

 

[Shellbell]

Thank you Smushroom and Abstract :)

 

[NarcSis]

Okay, I read the last section of the OP's concern, my advice? Give yourself a break. You recognize that you are sufferring, you recognize the "failure" that this is leading to, you actually understand the cause of it (work induced), at this point the question to yourself is, are you willing to live out the rest of your days sufferring and depressed?

The next move is yours. Life is full of tough decisions and if you have to remove yourself from a source of repeated trauma, depression and unmentionable sufferring, then it is done in the best interest of your own mental health and not because you are "unfit for duty". Believe me, I struggled with that too - those exact words were used against me and I punished ME repeatedly for those words.

I am not unfit for anything, I just need to reprioritize my life right now - I spent too many years putting others before me, now is the time to invest in me. I am being given a second chance at life here, I am not being "afraid" to go back (if only it were that simple!), to be afraid would have meant not reaching out for help and continuing to punish myself day in and day out.

Find a program, reach out to local sources, make contacts online in the trauma field and help yourself out of the hole you find yourself in. It is a medic's responsibility to take care of everyone but if we don't take care of number one, we are no good to anyone.

stepping off my soapbox now. Sorry, job hazard.