public hospital experience

I have knocked on the door at Royal Park but got refused. Then a few other times when really distressed I drove there and stomped around the grounds very angry ... but nobody saw me .. I didnt make a big enough scene ... after doing that a few times I then decided bugger them ... that was a very long time ago.

I have never told that to anyone before.

yes the helplines, or advice is to seek help, but when you do, it seems very hard to get it, there are limited beds, my doctor even refered me to a inpatient clinic and they triaged me out, as well as saying I did not live in their area, we need something like the drug and alcohol clinics for depression, I am still not sure what help that would be for chronic long term depression but at least you would feel that help is at hand, I have a good psychiatrist but it is difficult to fit issues into a half hour session once a month.

Hi @getbetter,

my last therapist tried so hard to have me assessed and admitted to a public hospital and failed. She even accompanied me in the middle of the night to a major hospital when I was feeling suicidal and I was sent home 5 hours later. I know it's really hard. It seems ridiculous to me that they can't admit you but I think it really comes down to $$$. They don't have the funding and treating severe depression is costly because it's long term. It does seem hard just to have that limited help once a month. Have you tried to get a mental health plan so you can see a psychologist a bit more regularly at the moment? It will only give you 10 visits but it could supplement the help your receiving with your psychiatrist. You may be able to find one who keeps in contact with your psych so they are working together as a team. Wishing you best of luck with this @getbetter. 💜😊

Hello Teej

Thanks for your advice, I have had mental health plans in the past but my type of depression does not respond well to psychology and I did not find it very helpfull, I guess I am lucky I can see a psychiatrist, many can not. It really get's me down that all these organisations, sane, beyond blue, etc tell you to seek help, but when you need serious help it is very hard to get if not impossible.

Hi @getbetter,

I am so sorry to hear you have suicidal feelings. It must be very distressing. This is absolutely a reason for concern and I am so glad that you are seeing a psychiatrist.

I agree with @Former-Member- the reason that your are not getting admitted to a public hospital psych ward is due to lack of funding and lack of available beds. I have actually had the dubious pleasure of working briefly in a public psych ward. They can only afford to take the sickest of the sick.

I really do think that once you were admitted, you would be knocking on the door pretty quickly asking to leave! Most patients in public psych wards are actively planning their escapes! Public psych wards are very unpleasant places with severely disturbed people who can be confrontational. These places look and smell like institutions and the staff there are often jaded, tired and over-worked. Violent incidents are not uncommon.

Do you have someone who can care for you at home? Maybe it's worth looking into staying at a private psych facility? I agree with what others have said, regarding stepping up your appointments with a psychologist. Let us know how you go.

Hello Sahara

I do have my mum and sisters around me so I am more fortunate than some. but support from friends is not very good.

Yes my worry was that these places can be unpleasant , I was triaged in an inpatient clinic and that even was a little scary , for private hospitals I would need to be in a health fund for 12 months before they would pay a full amount, even though they advertise 2 months waiting for psychiatric care, the ones I have rang only provide a limited contribution for the initial 10 months and I can not afford private cover anyway, but even once you where there, I am not sure how they would help, my psychiatrist has mentioned ect but that is very scary for me.

Hi @getbetter ECT is nothing to be afraid of. I've had it numerous times and if it were offered again, I would have it in an instant. The only side effect is feeling groggy from the anaesthetic and some temporary short term memory loss. The memory comes back don't worry.

It's a shame the private hospitals near you mean you are not covered until 12 months of private health insurance. Mine, I was able to have treatment after 2 months and have nil excess so I had nothing out of pocket other than my fortnightly premium. Handy because I am a pensioner.

I find the public system not at all helpful really. I have serious mental health issues and was discharged whilst still unwell. I am now thankful to go private.

Hi @getbetter,
I've been in both public and private hospitals. Public hospitals are mainly about stabilising people on medication and crisis management. They don't really do anything to 'treat' your illness per se. Private hospitals are a bit better and you do get some therapy and medication, but really hospital is only used for crises, not normal treatment. If you're suicidal, but not deemed a risk, you won't be admitted. And let me tell you, once you're admitted to a public ward, you'll realise you're probably better off outside. They are horrible places, and I never felt safe in them. And if you do go in and want to leave, you might not be allowed to!!! With regards to private insurance, I only had to wait 3 months despite it being a pre-existing condition, so give them a ring and see what the waiting period actually is. Private hospital is much better and a much nicer experience. You are actually treated like a human there. And I have found it to be a helpful experience. Please check out private insurance as it might be helpful for you.

@getbetter,

I am in agreement with @Former-Member, you are possibly a lot better off exploring all your options regarding private health insurance.

It's so great that you have your mum and your sisters to care for you. I really do think you are in better hands staying with your loved ones than in a public psych ward.... as @Former-Member has testified, they are horrible places.

It's interesting that your psychiatrist only sees you once a month for half an hour. Does he/she feel that you are stable but you beg to differ?

When I was acutely sick with depression I saw my psychiatrist every 10 days or so for an hour. I have no idea what is "average" as far a psychiatrist visits go. I was put on medication and she increased my dose frequently in the beginning.

I also had counselling on and off for 10 years and made some lifestyle changes along the way.

When did you first start having mental health problems?