Navigating mental health services

[MakeTheWorldABetterPlace]

I feel like I've been slighted yet again. Am I 'not sick enough' to be deserving of attention? I'm not currently in the Emergency Department. I have just booked an appointment with a psychiatrist for 2.5 months time. WTF?! Admittedly, the Acute Care Team yesterday felt comfortable enough to close my case (I was admitted to hospital for an overdose last week). Still, psychiatrists are obscenely expensive and barely available. This does not bode well for continuity of care. Plus how are they supposed to get to know me? It's just not possible unless you are exceedingly wealthy. Psychiatrists may cry poor as a specialist but they're still getting for the first consult about what someone on DSP gets to live on for a week. It's disgusting and shameful. Because I have to work within the situation as it is I can expect to be treated with an added degree of caution and suspicion. This is just going to make my life harder than it needs to be. Like GPs have become more available, affordable and accessible (at least in my experience where my medical centre now bulk bills), psychiatrist's need to become more available, affordable and accessible. We need to increase the supply of psychiatrists despite likely resistance from vested interests.

Working within the status quo... Does this simply mean that psychiatrists are actually just rarely engaged with? I guess this is the outcome that results. Still for medico-legal issues (e.g. claiming insurance benefits and claiming government benefits) these are the people who are held in high regard and yet would probably not know you that well. It's frustrating and I'm well aware I'm probably in a better financial situation than many people.

I'm getting an inkling as I navigate through my own mental health roller coaster that my GP is someone how will be my more immediate and regular advocate or source of support. At my medical centre there has been a very high turnover of GPs until just recently. Things seem to have stabilised... I haven't really had much to do with them until now. But now I seem to be there a few times a week.

I'm keen to hear how others navigate treatment etc...

[geoff]

Hello, and I'm sorry your comment has not been replied to, my apologies.

I know that psychologists and/or psychiatrists are expensive if you don't have insurance or not on the mental health plan, however, there are some of these that do bulk bill, unfortunately, you have to find them, and if you do then you hope they are someone you get on with, if you don't then you have to try once again.

If you click on 'Get Support' and scroll down you'll see 'Find a professional', these doctors are aligned with BB and some of these bulk bill.

Let us know how you get on.

Geoff.

[MakeTheWorldABetterPlace]

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for your reply. I have calmed down a bit since writing this post. I admit, I was venting a bit. It does feel like it's just a matter of finding people that you get on with or gel with. I've known my psychologist for some time and she's great. We've had times where there has been conflict, but in all we're pretty good. I've had this psychologist for 4 years or so. I have private health insurance and I have a mental health care plan which makes this more affordable.

I'm still trying to find the right psychiatrist. I guess it is all just part of this journey. I'm looking at getting a referral for a different psychiatrist that is also well regarded, but available sooner. My psychologist has been very supportive and provided me direction too.

Thanks again for your direction. I will have a look through the links you've pointed out. Take care.