Psychologist and social worker not helping": what next?

[MB68]

Hello all. I'm new here. I've been seeing a psychologist but 6 sessions have ended. They were very helpful with day to day strategies in dealing with trauma, loss and ongoing anxiety. Also seeing social worker. But over last several weeks, a serious problem is emerging: it's become totally hands off, no follow ups, no proactive assistance, no advocacy, no thinking outside the box, and absolutely no urgency given what I'm facing. I live in a rural/regional town I describe as a 'service desert'. I didn't move here  by choice but to be close to my son, but in 2023 he moved again 200 kms away. This place has become very toxic to my mental health. Since Covid I've come to really hate this place. For good reasons. I engaged the social worker out of desperation. But after 12 months I've noticed very troubling things - they dismiss and ignore the underlying causes of anxiety and depression; days pass into weeks and weeks become a month and nothing has changed: there's no plan, no goals, no practical help, and that's why I sought their help in the first place. But now I'm panicking because my real fear is that they know there's no solutions, but just allow the situation to drag on without any outcome. Eg I told them a month ago I desperately need to see my son, so I'll get on the only bus south. As i'm on low income I can't pay for any accommodation. They've known this for over a year. I expressed my very real fear of sleeping rough, that it was unsafe and potentially dangerous. That much was obvious. I explained this over and over again, asked them if they could use their contacts, back channels, link up with support agencies down there, shelters etc. But there was no response to this. They sent me a link to private rentals on Domain. Totally inappropriate. This has been on ongoing pattern. I now believe that this relationship/arrangement is making my mental health issues much worse. But I now have nowhere and no one to talk to about this. This is a small town. All the health professionals know each other, and I'm scared of raising this at the risk of being cancelled. I desperately need to move from here to a major city, but have no resources to do this. I'm hoping someone here knows what I'm talking about and open up a discussion on this that would be helpful, thank you for reading

[Croix]

Dear MB68~

I live in a small country town and have some idea how everyone knows everyone else's business -sigh. Also a lack of services. Just picking up my medications from the  pharmacy lets everyone within listening distance know:)

It's a pity your son moved away, were you close? If so he may be prepared to make inquiries  at his end about travel and accommodation.

Your psychologist sounded most useful and I hope the gap was not too expensive. Under some circumstances a GP can authorize some further visits , which can be a help.

It does not sound like you social worker is the the same class, more content to just talk, and not give practical help, I'm afraid some are like that (others are terrific). Perhaps you might consider dropping the social work if it frustrates you and makes you unhappy.

Sometimes charitable organizations such as Anglicare or Vinnies can listen and maybe do more. They are used to people with little money and problems.

I don't think is a case that there are no solutions to your problems, more a matter of finding the people that will really help.

If you would like to say how you get on that would be great.

Croix

[MB68]

Hi Croix

thanks for reaching out. Yes my son and I are/were had a very close bond.

You're right about the social worker. When you're in a very dark place and things are unravelling, you've run out of 'resilience', desperate and vulnerable, you turn to these people for help. You look to them as a kind of saviour. They can fix things or at least can help create a plan, with step by step goals you can work on. But the brutal truth is the faith is misplaced. Painful as it is they're not saviours, not even close. 

On February 12 i did a K10 mental health assessment by a mental health nurse. Their initial assessment said I rated very high on the risk score for severe depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.  That was 2 weeks ago. There's been no contact since, no follow ups, no updates, no courtesy call to see how I'm doing, no call backs to arrange the next appt, complete silence. Where's the duty of care? Where's the urgency? 

For months I contacted Vinnies, Anglicare, Salvos, Mission Aust, mental health nurses, social workers, Health Direct online, employment providers, etc... The response was incredible.

"We're sorry to hear about you're challenges, but we're not able to assist you at this stage". How many times I've broke down in tears, distressed, desperate to get help, but all you get is a one line message that could have been written by an algorithm. 

I wouldn't be the only person with the same experience. It's one reason I've landed on this forum, because there's nowhere else to go. It's true when you say there are solutions, it's just I keep finding the wrong people. In a country as wealthy as this there are solutions. We're not as caring or compassionate as we pretend. 

I've run out of people and agencies to contact. Mean time my mental health continues to deteriorate. 

If we only had more Dr Patrick McGorry's.

[Croix]

Dear MB68~

Yes, you sound as if you have tried all the ones I can think of and have seen the difference between having a job in the medical field and actually caring. Sadly too many are that way. In fairness many start out with the best of intentions, but burn out due to the impossible tasks they face.

The K12 is only a rough guide, but even so the indication about suicide at least should have been followed up. So may I ask you if you do intend to take your life at times? Obviously you are under no obligation to answer unless you want to.

I've felt that way and actually gone further and made attempts so I can understand if others are like I've been.

I'm not asking out of idle curiosity, if you have not felt that way no harm done, if on the other hand you have I might be able to say a couple of things that have helped me. I don't have many answers, but you never know what might help.

Your medical facilities are mixed with the one hopeful sign being your psychologist, as I said you may be able to get extra visits. Have you considered reaching out for self-paced help? This can be of assistance with anxiety, depression and other matters too. There is a government sponsored web site called The Mindspot Clinic.

They offer self help courses, you choose which you want and take your time. Now and again you can get help for a real psychologist with the course you are doing. Again not a perfect solution but may find it a fair bit better than nothing. I did the course on PTSD and found not only the course, but the extra human help, to be worth doing.

One of the differences was I was not hoping others would help, that a welfare officer failed to arrange transport and accommodation, a nurse follow up -and so on. You are not relying on others and that prevents disappointment and can help stop disillusionment too. I felt better all the way though.

Croix