Timely and accessible medical support for mental health is not good enough

josh88 · ‎30-07-2019

I'm sure that there is a lot of really great work out there that beyondblue and others do, which is great, however i feel like for many people (like me) who are experiencing mental health issues, serious enough to require medical intervention, but not serious enough to warrant immediate intervention or support from crisis support services, that they do not receive the timely support that they need.

This has been my journey to try and access the help that i need:

Booked in to see GP (+1 week)
GP and I agreed that i needed to see a psychiatrist to help manage medication and look at other options. Recieved a referral.
Called to book in to see Psychiatrist. Clinic says that the Psychiatrist is on holidays until the end of the year and not taking new patients. Asked to be booked in to see someone else there. Clinic says that I need a new referral.
Go back to GP and ask for new referral. GP sends a referral to the clinic, and suggests calling them in a week to arrange an appointment.
Call the Clinic for appointment (+1 week).
Am told that the earliest appointment to see any psychiatrist is in October...

I can't wait until October for help, so now i need to go back to my GP, again, to get another referral to see a Psychiatrist, which could also have lengthy waiting lists. I know this may sound somewhat petty but i really feel like part of the problem with access to mental health support, particularly medical help, is that it is so bureaucratic and inaccessible for people who need support and intervention as soon as possible.

I am interested to know if others have experienced this or similar things though.

Alameda · ‎30-07-2019

It's not good enough. Even those that go to crisis care don't get the help they need in a timely manner. We are left to seek other sources of help, it's assumed we have a community to rely on but our real-life social communities have been eroded and erased by social media and there is no real community anymore. It is so tough to be out there on your own and struggling. Even though it sounds counterintuitive, I've found volunteering work a great source of support and self-esteem. Try to get involved in some volunteering initiatives, you will meet people who care, who are real and trying to help others. It's all about building a support network in what ever way you can.

Nurse_Jenn · ‎07-08-2019

Hi Josh88,

i just wanted to acknowledge the troubles you are having with the ability to get the right care, at the right time. This is a very well known systemic issue that is currently being addressed by the Government in a number of ways. I work in the space of mental health reform and have seen so many people like yourself sit in queues with no support or direction. I am sorry you have had so much trouble getting the support you need.

There is an interesting report about Australia’s fragmented mental health system and the response given by the Government if you were interested in understanding more about mental health system reform. I have attached a link for your interest.

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/our-reports/our-national-report-cards/2014-contributing-lives-review.aspx

I understand it doesn’t help your particular situation. But in the reports there are many many voices who have experienced similar issues. I am one of the people trying to make a difference in this space so people experiencing mental health issues have a clear pathway towards getting the right care at the right time. It is a slow moving ship but there are many many local initiatives occurring towards improvement and fixing the system.

I am not sure this has been helpful but I certainly know that you are not alone in this type of frustrating experience.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

Nervybella · ‎07-08-2019

Hi Josh

I hear you big time!! I’ve detailed my journey below

Had anxiety on and off for years. Had it under control up until a few weeks ago. Hadn’t seen my psych for 12 months so needed a new mental health plan

Rang GP- usual doc unavailable for 2 weeks so booked another gp just so I could get the ball rolling. She was just awful! I even made a complaint as she just could not care less. Asked if I was “sure you want to see a psych? They are very expensive” like I didn’t know already. Anyway. Got my referral

Rang my usual psych office to be told my regular psych is booked out until late September. This is an office of 5 - only one was taking new clients so I asked to see her. Next available appointment in a weeks time

so I think I’m sorted

the day of appointment I get a phone call to say there has been a mix up and this psychologist is actually NOT taking new clients and I cannot see her. You can imagine my reaction... I’m on a wait list for them now

in the meantime I go back to my GP (my usual one) and get a new referral to a different psych clinic. Get an appointment within a couple days. Saw her today and all went well, but her next available opening for a follow up appointment is not until one months time!

So yes, I did see someone eventually, but not without much hassle and stress

I hope you finally got to speak to someone Josh, and that out broken system gets fixed sooner rather than later 😞

best

Bella

Raynor · ‎07-08-2019

I’m having similar problems with getting to a psychologist. They’re not taking new patients or they have a waiting list but after speaking to me, they think i need to see someone sooner so they won’t put me on a list. I’ve been trying this for 2 months. Fortunately my GP knows what it’s like so he said get an appointment first, then call and he’ll send the referral.