What other options are there? I feel so stuck and hopeless

@Bow I'm so sorry that you've had such a difficult and frustrating experience. I can really hear how disheartened you are feeling, and I am glad that you are reaching out to the community for some extra support during such a rough time. We all deserve access to treatment and support - it shouldn't be locked behind financial barriers in the way it often is.

Hopefully some folks here will have some thoughts and experiences to share about options to explore. I dunno if you've thought about jumping into Recovery Club but could be a good option for a bit of extra support whilst you're working out next steps.

Thanks for responding @Jynx

feeling heaps teary tonight. Hopeless. It’s not fair that I suffer like this cause of things that were done to me. I had no choice.

im not real sure what recovery club is all about to be honest. And not real sure if… I don’t know the words Jynx. Lots change here and trust is hard. Do you risk vulnerability? Make sense? Sorry if not.

@Bow I hear you hun. It's hard.

I do think it's worth checking out. I understand the hesitations and uncertainty, but I think having some extra support and a space to decompress/connect/set some goals could be helpful.

It's a more structured 6-month program, so could help with figuring out what you might want your recovery path to look like. You get five 1:1 sessions with a peer or non-peer worker, and they can be with the same person each time or someone different. You could have an appointment booked as soon as tomorrow if you signed up tonight. Just something to think about? It's not intended as clinical or crisis support, more like a form of extra support, and like right now it sounds like you could use that.

Plus, it's completely free, so like what's the harm in giving it a go? If you don't like it, no worries, you can just disengage. The groups portion will hopefully also be launching in the next couple months - also completely optional, but in terms of trying something new or finding more support, I think it could be worth considering.

Is it similar to the other one I did @Jynx ?

Sorry been thinking on it today… the uncertainty don’t like

@Bow same same but different, this one is more structured. You can build a recovery plan to help work out what you want to get out of the program, and choose various focus areas (like Hope, Identity, Safety & Stability, Physical and/or Social & Emotional Wellbeing, as some examples), plus things like identifying barriers, working on strengths, and how to turn your goals into achievable steps.

I know that you're probably looking for treatment options that are a little more robust, a bit more clinical, but I figure this could be a good option to try, especially cos you can get it for free, right now, to help you while you are between things.

Ok thank you @Jynx for explaining it more

maybe I could dip my toes in? See what it’s like?

Hi@Bow,

sorry to hear that you have recieved no treatment for your depression. Just wondering, would getting a second opinion from a private psychiatrist be helpful. They might be able to offer some alternative therapy in the mean time. Also are you seeing a psychologist for your depression? I was able to see a psychiatrist through Dokotela an online psychiatrist place, just needs a referral from your doctor. They look at your symptoms, diagnose you and send a report with medication recommendations and therapy recommendations to your doctor. I found them to be quite good. Sometimes something needs to be looked at with a fresh pair of eyes.

Of course i don't know your history and what treatments you have been on, i cannot really comment just suggest. I Hope this helps though. ECT can work in some cases and in other cases it doesn't help everyone. Take care.

@Bow sure, see how you go. Even if it's just a stepping stone, or a way to stay connected or get some ideas, something to try 💜

Hi @Misty7 sorry I missed your reply here. Thank you.

I see a psychiatrist through community mental health. My psychiatrist and case manager both supported me going into hospital for ECT as it has helped in the past. The thing is though, to go in for ECT as a public patient you just have to present to the end and be admitted under one of the psychiatrists there, who is different, and could very well so no to ECT.

I can’t afford a private psychiatrist. You’re looking at $800-$900. I actually seen a psychiatrist through dokotella many years ago when my mental health took a deep dive. He was useless. I was desperate for someone to acknowledge my eating disorder and he just kept ignoring me and giving me more pills. And how they did it all was stupid- I had to drive 1.5hr round trip to see this guy via video from his office in my home town!!!

I guess I get second opinions frequently cause comm mh psychiatrist changes as much as the weather does! It’s very frustrating for continuity of care.

I’ve had ECT twice. Once like 15yrs ago and then 2 yrs ago. 2 yrs ago I present to ED and it was during covid and the public hospital and private had an agreement to transfer some public patients to the private hospital to do ECT. They don’t do it anymore unfortunately.

so yeah… that’s where things are at.

Oh my so much reading @Jynx