Public mental health system

Thanks for sharing @Theodorea

@Theodorea I completely agree with you, the mental health system is far from perfect. I've been let down time and time again and left with no support. Yet here on the forums and chatting with the peer support workers etc, I've been shown nothing but compassion and kindness. Having that lived experience and knowing how others are feeling when struggling with one's mental health really means you can connect on a whole different level. I'll never see a psychologist again due to a previous bad experience and I'd given up on talking to anyone again because of it. But now that there's the option of getting support from peer support workers and those with a lived experience, it's really a game changer.

Yes I agree, hearing from people with lived experience has been so helpful for me also, on this sane forum, on Facebook groups,Instagram, podcasts, Utube etc I have learnt so much. I received no education from mental health care.

I think every person when first diagnosed with schizophrenia/bipolar disorder etc should receive a peer support worker and be connected to peer groups etc. Let’s hope this happens in the future 🙏

@Theodorea it sounds like you've had bad experiences with psychiatrists. Me too. Long wait lists. Superficial analysis. Prescriptions before understanding. Off label prescriptions costing a fortune. Palming off anything except prescription writing to psychologists and then not communicating with them. The last bastion in medicine (?) where doctor knows best, just do as I say, and I'm too busy to explain or listen or talk.

Having said all that my initial contact with my psychiatrist was a godsend. Finally someone to listen to me through my tears and more, and medication so I could function. But then rapid labelling and treating the label.

I'm thinking of a model with more peer support workers, councillors and psychologists with less emphasis on drug interventions favoured by psychiatrists. Or maybe retraining psychiatrists? Or getting them better resourced so they can do their job of holistic treatment of mental illness?

I suspect there is too much pathologising of neurodivergence with subsequent medication, rather than acceptance of difference with support to be the best person possible.

Sorry for the rant. I have been treated as sick for 5 years, and am only now coming to realise I'm different, and learning to harvest my differences.

@tyme @MissGremlin hugs

@Theodorea @Doog I agree

Doog it was pretty short for a rant. But that is what happens when we are pathologised. We second guess ourselves. Yes to retraining psychiatrists but they would have to be honest about getting Big Pharma out of the academy and associations. They would also have to be humble and stop overstepping human beings boundaries pretending they are morally perfect and can judge and coerce vulnerable people with excessive chemical restraint.

When I first came to the forum 10 years ago I expressed gratitude as I wasn't sure I would be alive without seeing a psychiatrists through my life. On reflection and witnessing what has played out for my son PLUS knowing a few socially. Hmmmm. I have moved from respectful submission to their so called knowledge... To a far more critical lens. Advocacy for change in the field is needed. Not claptrap pushing complex chemistry to befuddle people. Many of them have their own delusions of grandeur and I have to deal with one tomorrow at a music event. Her attention seeking, selfish ambition, vanity and egotism has rubbed a few people the wrong way. Wish me luck that I keep my cool but don't bow down and lose my dignity. Talk about Blooming delusions of grandeur.

It ought be incumbent on the profession to take stock and not whinge about financial benefits when they get far above average pay. The purpose of the profession is to help people not poison them.

I guess psychiatry has its place, but I'm also very open to peer workers, counsellors etc. That is, to focus on that psychosocial support BEFORE the medical support @Appleblossom @Theodorea @Doog @MissGremlin . I'm mindful that everyone is different and have their own MH needs.

I agree very much @Theodorea

the public mh system is very very broken. They are under staffed and some of them just shouldn’t be there.

I did though, have a psychiatrist for a couple of years, who didn’t just prescribe. She actually talked. She listened. She tried to understand and she actually tried to help. But she retired. And the 4 psychiatrist I’ve had in the last year since, have pretty much just pushed more and more pills. They haven’t even taken the time to get to know me properly.

Be careful what you wish for..

The workload on these people in the public sector is immense

You do know the difference between a psychiatrists and a psychologists right?

If you want to have your hand held and be mollycoddled through your illness go get private health cover..

There's only so much our health system can do for you.

Your expectations are way too high and our health system is some of the best in the world think yourself lucky you don't live in another country!!

I apologise if you don't feel heard and just feel like you've been overlooked when it comes to the treatment you have been provided with but the practicality around your treatment works in the public sector and doesn't come without cost!!

Yes @supermodel I most definitely know the difference between the 2 psych workers and even a little about the concept of the psyche.

I am not one to be mollycoddled.

I find it wiser to be careful about “you “ statements. It can impact how communication is received.

The conversation is bigger than the public/private dichotomy imho.