How to get help

[Studio606]

Hi

I'm an older person with a dx of BPD, C-PTSD and anxiety/depression.  How do people get help?  I work part time due to my mental health.  I have paid over $3000 this year in psychiatrists and psychologist fees and have got nowhere apart from broke.  I have spent 5 days, full days being passed from pillar to post trying to get help in the public sector.  Apparantly because I have 'officially' a psychologist I cannot access a Qld Health service, so then I tried a NGO service who advertise a group but don't actually run the group and referred me back to the Qld Health Service.  The took all of my info and then referred to the NGO who, under a different name took all of my personal info again, and then nothing ... for 2 months!  Called them today and they told me "Sorry, you don't exist in our system".  Then told me they will look at their process.  I can't get NDIS because I havent had all the therapy available and evidence it doesnt work so I need to get a functional assessment.  The functional assessment, without asking me any questions about what it is for is billed at 6-10 hours of work and will cost 2500 - 5000.  So that is out.  I was told by Qld Health that I should take private health insurance.  I checked out this option to find out that it will cost $175 a week for my age and I have to pay $750 excess to start using it.  So I ask, how does anyone get any help for their mental health?  I am sick to death of people telling me how resilient I am and how strong I am.  I need help, and I am fortunate, and privileged that I am intelligent and persistent enough to keep going, but I am exhausted from having to battle to be heard and helped.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Studio606,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for your openness in sharing here.

It’s a really good place to have come to hear from others, many will understand some of what you’re going through.

We can hear how difficult the past few months years have been, we’re so sorry that’s been going on.  It sounds like you’ve taken some really good steps in getting some support. It’s incredibly difficult when treatment doesn’t have any quick answers, and it can be a really difficult journey.

It can, unfortunately, take a lot of trial and error to find something that works for you. Keeping in touch with a regular GP can be a good way to get some referral for bulk-billing services, too. We wish it was an easier process and that there was a simple solution. 

If you want to talk through what you’re feeling at any time, the Beyond Blue Support Line is here for you 24/7 on 1300 22 4636. The counsellors can be good to talk to right in the midst of a tough time. You can also reach them via Online Chat here.  

Thanks again for sharing. We’re here to listen and offer support, and you never know how your story might help someone else. 

Kind regards, 

Sophie M 

[Studio606]

Does Beyond Blue make any political noises to advocate for better mental health access or just sympathy?  It feels like the mental health system or lack thereof is a key factor in keeping me unwell.  I have a great GP but her hands are tied.  Being told that if I have a psychologist I can access any other support is wrong so wrong.  I scrape up money to fund someone who I can see but that doesn’t mean I am loaded to pay the quoted $21000 for the DBT group the psychiatrist recommended I do!  I can’t afford private health plus the time off work each week to do their groups so was looking for options.  Unfortunately a day of talking to people who are administrative staff resulted in a complete bpd meltdown.