No help after mental health plan

[DrWho_nerd]

Hey everyone. I have PTSD and am really struggling. I got a mental health plan to see a psych to try and help but 10 sessions are now finished. I can't afford to pay the full price ($190) to keep seeing the psych, they won’t bulk bill, and don’t offer to assist patients with financial difficulties in any way. I have only a few strategies and most of the time they don't help, there was no planning for what to do when the 10 sessions finished, and I was given nothing by the psych to help me through or work on now that I don't have any sessions left. I have spoken to my GP, but they said there is nothing else available to me (ATAPs have refused to help me because I have had a mental health plan) and they couldn't offer any other suggestions. I am also going to have to face my abusers at a legal hearing soon without any support. I don't know what to do, I am struggling to get through every day. Anyone have any advice?

[Birdy77]

Hello DrWho_nerd,

Welcome here. I'm really sorry to hear how much you are struggling at the moment. I'm glad you've reached out here, please know that you are not alone.

I just wanted to reach out a caring hand to you, I'm afraid I don't have any advice really except to maybe ring the beyondblue helpline and someone should be able to offer you a suggestion? The number is 1300 22 46 36.

Apart from that, what came to mind is, have you a community health centre close by, or neighbourhood centre? When I urgently needed help, I found that counselling available at my local Women's Health Centre and also another I think it was called the Community Health Centre (could have been community mental health centre), as well as at my local Neighbourhood Centre. It could be worth trying something similar? All of the above services were offered at a very small fee, or free if one couldn't afford it at all.

I hope you are able to find something like one of these. In the meantime, you are very welcome to talk here as much as you like, we will listen and care.

🌻birdy

[startingnew]

hello and welcome to BB

im in the same boat as you, as soon as i finish my 10 sessions im tossed to the curb too. something that might help you however is a service called victims of crime, they offer up to 22 free counselling sessions. maybe that could be something you would like to look into?

it doesnt matter if you have a mental health care plan with them, they are a separate thing and even if you have a mhcp, it is about to run out. your current psychologist may even be a counsellor on the list. they have a list of approved counsellors, and the application is on the website. just type into google 'Victims of Crime counselling services' and itll bring it all up for you

itll look pretty intimidating howver the parts that say 'what happened' you dont have to put details only 'domestic violence' 'sexual abuse' just very brief and i know theres a part that give you the chance to name the abuser etc but you dont have to do that either.

they have other things like compensation as well, but im not too sure on how to do that part.

sending my best wishes, hoping you can find something soon!. PTSD really can be the pits!

[DrWho_nerd]

Hi birdy and startingnew

Thank you both for replying to my post and giving me some possible options. Birdy, unfortunately I don’t have a women’s health centre or community health centre nearby and the neighbourhood centre only does maternal and child health and vaccines, but I am grateful for the suggestions and glad you were able to get help there when you needed it. I will give the helpline a call and see what they say too. I will also look into the service you suggested startingnew, thanks for explaining a bit of the process to me.

Best wishes to you both and thank you again. Things are really tough at the moment and means a lot that you took the time to listen and help me out with suggestions.

[Birdy77]

Dear DrWho_Nerd

You are most welcome.

I am really sorry to hear things are so tough.

Please feel very welcome to continue talking here, it can be helpful to air your feelings and hassles with non-judgmental people who will listen and care.

Sending you caring vibes and healing light.

🌻birdy

[startingnew]

your welcome, im sorry things are so tough though

As Birdy said please keep free to keep talking here to us, we dont mind at all and are happy to listen to any concerns you have 🙂