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Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

Unknown userMember01 Mar 2020, 12:12 pm AEDT

Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

*POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING, BUT I'M NOT TRYING TO TRIGGER ANYONE.*

And if this isn't posted in an appropriate thread, feel free to move it.

Hi all. I have some questions please, but please note that I'm not going to do anything or go there, these are just questions.

What happens when you call 000 (I assume you would ask for Ambulance or Police?) for mental health, so say if you were going to do something or attempted or just that the thoughts were really strong, or if you couldn't get through to somewhere like Lifeline? (I've never called for this reason).
If you went to a triage, what do they do? Do they just put you on heaps of meds and admit you, or can they just support you (kind of like a group where you share your story with others, or?)

I ask this because my Psychiatrist referred me to the local triage, but when I exchanged phone calls with them, they were all extremely rude and unhelpful and refused to help me or even let me ask questions, or tell me anyone that could help me. They said that they don't even know why my Psychiatrist wasted his time because they're not going to help me and they just admit people rather than give them support or tell me who else can help. Yes I told my Psychiatrist this, and my new GP.

As mentioned above, I'm not going to do anything, I'm just curious.

Thanks. Also please note I'm not trying to trigger anyone, just questions, hence why I wrote that up the top in caps.

I'll tag everyone below that I've talked to on the forums.

@Former-Member @NNY @Bunniekins @eth @Valentine @MDT @CheerBear @TheVorticon @Shaz51 @Snowie @outlander @Faith-and-Hope @Sans911 @WriterMelb @TAB (I hope I got all of the usernames right. No one has to reply if they're unsure or don't want to)

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In response to: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

WriterMelbSenior Contributor03 Mar 2020, 10:27 am AEDT

Re: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

@Former-Member

Its not good that you have such limited support.

My experience of the health system is like this.

Public Mental Health (Victoria)
- Mainly covers emergency, people in dangerous crisis, and people who are a risk to the community. There are a very few low acuity beds.

- With the levels of treatment. Low acuity. Lower risk locked ward. Higher risk locked ward. Beyond that I don't know.
- Care is massively improved compared to the horror stories from the 60'S and 70'S.

- In my experience hospital EDs don't handle mental health crises well.
- In my experience they only treat the symptoms with medication and get you out of the hospital ASAP.

Private Health. A whole different world
- Choose your own doctor. (Mostly).
- In my case use a combination of treatments. Including medication and state of the art behavioral therapy groups: Mindfullness, CBT, DBT, art therapy and others. These have enabled me to move forward and improve my condition. I consider these therapies essential to my improvement.
- I can usually be admitted to a private hospital within two days as a voluntary patient. these hospitals are more like a hotel than a Hospital. This has helped me greatly in emergency situations.

I have funded health insurance from my meagre resources out of desperation. the public system for me was of little use. With two emergency admissions things were made worse for me. My spouse has sent a detailed submission to the Vic Royal Comissionin into mental health. I know others have had better experiences.

I have written a short story loosely based on my experience. I could post it. Possibly too big. About 5000 words. (Had a quick review. Not really suitable here. 🤔)

WriterMelb

In response to: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

WriterMelbSenior Contributor03 Mar 2020, 10:34 am AEDT

Re: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

Worth looking into. At least get some individual quotes. You need top hospital cover. I’m with HCF

In response to: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

WriterMelbSenior Contributor03 Mar 2020, 10:39 am AEDT

Re: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

Thanks for the politeness. I can feel the pain behind it. There is hope. If I have moved forward, you can do the same 😊

In response to: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

WriterMelbSenior Contributor03 Mar 2020, 10:41 am AEDT

Re: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

@Former-Member

Thanks for the politeness. I can feel the pain behind it. There is hope. If I have moved forward, you can do the same 😊

WriterMelb

In response to: Re: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

Unknown userMember03 Mar 2020, 11:26 am AEDT

Re: Triage questions (not sure what else to name the topic)

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the public health system @WriterMelb but thanks for explaining all of that to me. Private hospitals and insurance sounds better but I don't know too much about any of it.

My psychiatrist also has a senior role at a large private health insurance company.

I don't have private health insurance neither do my parents unfortunately, since it's too pricey, but like I said I don't know much or anything about the whole private insurance stuff

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