I just don't understand how "talking about it" is meant to help me?

I know seeing a therapist has not worked for you @Jlol. And that was quite possibly before the cost of living crisis??? So I'm a little unsure of what you are hoping to get out of asking the question. If you are having a vent about the state of things, well that's totally valid. I get life is hard for so many right now and speaking out about it here on the forums can be helpful.

For ME talking to someone helped me see things differently and become more resilient. I know there are a lot of people on here who it has not worked for and they have been harmed by the MHS so I know it's not for everyone. But I would hate to deter someone from seeking help from a therapist. Therapy can be helpful for a lot of people.

@Jlol Hello Jlol. I agree it doesnt help to pay for therapy or assistance.

It has all become a business model.

I just hope you recieved help for your $200.

Regards

Wordman

Wise words, @Jlol . I wish I'd been informed enough to know how fruitless the process is before embarking upon it. IMHO, often the true cost of therapy is not the money spent, but the dammage they do along the way.

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@wordman wrote:

@Jlol Hello Jlol. I agree it doesnt help to pay for therapy or assistance.

It has all become a business model.

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A while back I shared this video with a friend on here that was an interview with a Californian sherriff, if memory serves. He was describing how a burgeoning "homeless industry" has arisen in Los Angeles, and as a result, homelessness has almost trippled in that city over recent years. Because the process is being run by fat cat beaurocrats who get paid exorbitant amounts by the government to "deal with" homelessness.

They have no interest in solving the homelessness problem, because if homelessness was ever solved, they wouldn't have their lucrative jobs anymore. So the problem only grows and grows.

To me, that bears some striking similarities to the mental health industry here in Australia. If all our problems disappeared overnight, as we hope they would, then they'd all be out of work, wouldn't they?

Happy endings are bad for business. No wonder they never happen.

Well as I said @Jlol a therapist was great for me. I never paid $200 though that's for sure. Mine was half that. I live in a regional area so not sure if that makes a difference AND this was a few years ago...probably have gone up. I can see where you're coming from re being deterred. I think it's dismissive of someone to tell you in particular to see a therapist when they clearly have not worked for you in the past. Like have they suggested a different type of therapy??? There are so many different types. Who was it who told you to see one?

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@hanami wrote:

I know seeing a therapist has not worked for you @Jlol. And that was quite possibly before the cost of living crisis??? So I'm a little unsure of what you are hoping to get out of asking the question.

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I can't speak for @Jlol , obviously. But in my case, I pose these sorts of questions in the hope that the message might get through to the powers that be, that they need to create a system that actually fixes people's problems.

I know that SANE's leaders often sit down in mental health/suicide conferences with the government. So, maybe if there are enough of us here in the forums crying out that the mental health system isn't doing anything, those prestigous SANE leaders might pass that message on to the government and hammer the message home that they really need to build a genuinely helpful system - sooner rather then later.

Hey @chibam @Jlol @wordman ,

I wanted to chime in to say that I acknowledge that parts of the system have not been helpful for you, and I'm sorry this has happened to you.

As the same time, we have to be mindful of the countless individuals who have been supported through the system. Yes, we know the system is not perfect - and never will be, however, we do not want to discourage help-seekers from seeking support from trained professionals.

I can't speak for you, but I can speak for myself that therapy, therapists and the public mental health system have been the best thing for me. I'm sorry you may not have had the same experiences, and want to acknowledge that we hear you.

Due to the contentious nature of this thread, it will be closed for further comment.

If you wish to discuss this, you are welcome to email team@saneforums.org