Mental Health conditions are not a lifestyle choice, If people could 'just' do those things they would. And I ask why this attitude is acceptable, nobody would tell someone with a broken leg to just walk on it, the same respect should apply to those with mental health needs.
Its World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness. It works but its not enough, those who don't have mental health needs need to be aware of mental health every day. It also needs to be viewed in exactly the way as physical health, there is no difference.
I have complex PTSD, alongside a physical disability. Nobody suggests that me saying I can't take my wheelchair down steps is not a real need they accept that. I find attending medical appointments difficult because of my PTSD, to do so I need reasonable adjustments like seeing the same people or seeing them at certain places. Under the law I can ask for that in the same way as asking for wheelchair access. Too often though its not seen in the same way. I am told more often than not I am simply making a choice, I could do it if I wanted to.
In the street I have been called crip, spaz, mental, loony, the first two relate to my physical disability, the others to my mental health. People have defended me and reacted against the former, the latter is seen as more acceptable.
In fact treating anyone with additional needs, no matter what they are, as if its just choice is not acceptable, nor is using discriminatory language. Anyone with a disability or health condition has the same rights under the Equality Act, no mstter what the nature or cause of their condition.
My wish is that starting today and continuing every day people treat those with physical and mental health needs with the same respect, and acceptance that they have exactly the same rights That will be real progress.
I'm no real fan of Awareness Days because people with illnesses and life issues are aware of them every day, and so must we be if we really want to make a difference. That said today is World Suicide Prevention Day, the theme is take a minute, change q life, save a life, and because of that I'm telling my story because I know it can make a difference.
I have Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, CPTSD, and a few years ago I was so unwell that I struggled through the most simple tasks. I asked the professionals around me for extra help, only to be told that I needed to make more effort, I said I was scared I would hurt myself. Things came to a head when I was told by a professional that people like me annoyed him because we didn't help ourselves. I then asked for immediate help as I felt at risk only to be told to go away. I took an overdose, I didn't want to die, I needed help.
From what was my lowest point my life changed. The paramedics who helped me made a point of asking how I was whenever they came back into A&E that day. The family member who sat with me, and got loads of grief, but just took it, and the nurse who smiled at me, all made a difference. Back home I'll never forget the helpline worker who just listened and told me about different support I could have, I tried everything I was offered, and it made a difference, I got the help I needed and the people helping me listened and worked my way. It wasn't all mental health support. Sometimes it was as simple as having a cup of coffee with someone.
I thank everyone of those people they helped me save me. I know that if I had been listened to and supported when I first struggled, it probably wouldn't have happened. What happened to me is the reason I ask you to take a minute, and change a life, save a life not just today but every day. Many of those who helped me weren't mental health professionals, they just cared.
Depression and for that matter any mental health condition is as individual as the people who live with it.
Making assumptions that people can't do those things or that they can does them a disservice and is disrespectful. In reality many may be able to do these things or others, to varying degrees on some days, if they can't on others, perhaps with support or adjustment. Many have good and bad days but what this means is individual too. Just because someone can work or go shopping it doesn't mean their condition isn't serious or real, just they can do that at that moment. Similarly someone who can't isn't giving up, not capable, or not trying, they just can't do it now.
It isn't helpful to say cheer up, take exercise or change your diet, for example, its a serious health condition and feeling better may take a long time. Better may also not mean not having any symptoms, or never havig it again. Better is relative and different for everyone. Each person knows their situation and needs best.
Talking about mental health ends stigma and helps others do the same.
If any group of workers is likely to have contact with disabled people regularly its probably healthcare workers so why do so many of them lack basic disability and mental health awareness?
Today I had a routine over 50s mammogram. Its unpleasant anyway but but my experience had added extras, my carer being refused entry to the room when I needed assistance, them trying to dismantle my chair, when I said no, and when I said hospitals sometimes trigger my PTSD telling me not to be scared. My carer was allowed in after they realised my chair wouldn't come apart, to assist me to transfer, only for us to be told how we should do it, we just carried on regardless. She also supported me when they ignored the fact my sitting balance isn't that good when I told them this.
A few days ago an OT thought it was a good idea if someone accompanied me to a wheelchair assessment to help me choose a chair. This was after she agreed what my needs were and said I obviously knew what I needed.
A few months ago a nurse at a different surgery in the group I go to asked to speak to my carers after I said that going to the surgery increased my anxiety. I said I was alone, she said no you can't be, people like you have to be made to come.
I've had some fantastic care some staff always go tbe extra mile when needed but the less good staff detract from the good experiences. Disabled people or anyone with additional needs are people and deserve the best quaulity of care as does anyone else. I only ask that they listen and work with us, we are the experts on our own situation.
Student police officers training locally get a week long mental health placement at a Cornish hospital, where they work with ward staff supporting patients. The scheme is supported by the Home Treatment Team.
Its a start although I'd like to see longer placements and the scheme extended to serving officers, including senior officers who make decisions about how those with mental health needs are dealt with when they come into contact with the police. It should also become a national scheme.
In time we might then see fewer people inappropriately placed in police cells when they need treatment. This may also improve attitudes and provision for those who commit crimes where mental health is a factor, that could also improve outcomes for victims, and reduce reoffending.
Better support for witnesses affected by mental health issues wouldn't go amiss either, having been one more than once, I found some experiences terrifying, and wondered seriously, at least once, if I would be locked up! The police officer was irritated because an anxiety disorder made me talk too fast for him to write.
I also want officers to work with potential and ex offenders affected by mental health issues and those who support them, proactively and sensitively to prevent crime.
Thats my wish list, and I'm probably asking too much of a fledgling scheme. As a start, if this scheme increases understanding of mental health issues among officers, and improves the police related experiences of those living with mental health conditions it will make a difference.
Story via Services in Cornwall
My local paper asked people for their experiences of local mental health services. I largely agree with their survey findings, which I didn't take part in. Below I've copied my comments on the article on their facebook page:-
I have to pay for therapy, after using all my NHS allowance, the therapy didn't help me that much, I ended up in hospital after taking an overdose, I had told my therapist I was struggling, got told to make more effort. It wasn't the CPFT, but another provider. I had waited a year for treatment when I saw a nurse for a physical reason and freaked out. That speeded it up if you can call it that. Before being on the waiting list I spent months whilst they decided whether I needed CPFT or the other provider. I got referred to CPFT 7 times including during treatment, because the theapist I saw thought my needs were too severe for her service whilst CPFT said I wasn't unwell enough to need them. Falling between the two made my situation worse. I didn't get the right care. I saw a CPN once ahe said there wasn't much wrong with me because I smiled at her. She also asked if I was anxious, as I have complex PTSD caused largely by my 'treatment' by other professionals not linked to the NHS that was a fairly safe guess! She then decided I needed only 12 sessions with the other service and I would be much better. More than 30 NHS sessions and 4 years with low cost private therapy and I almost at the end of regular sessions. What happened to me went on for a long time, so was never going to end quickly. I would never willingly start treatment with the NHS again. My therapist now is amazing.
Really glad he got the help he needed but there is a real.need for more services available out of hours.
http://m.cornwalllive.com/man-helps-to-restore-faith-in-humanity-after-heart-warming-responses-to-post-about-mental-health/story-30487498-detail/story.html
Mental health is in the news again as its announced young people will get help to manage exam stress.Thats great, if they follow through and if its real help not a tick box exercise. I suspect sadly that it will go the way the rest of the Conservative mental health promises have, great big obvious U turns, full of nothing but excuses.
There were going to be more nurses and psychologists so that people got care quickly, they failed. More beds so that people don't end up in police cells, but they still do. Access to services earlier, great but they meant first level for those with milder conditions, there still isn't enough help for those needing more. Too many people have to wait for a crisis before they get care, if they are lucky!
There is a mental health crisis in this country that the government pretend to tackle by tinkering and making promises they don't keep. Any preventative measure is welcome but not at the expense of those needing treatment now, and not getting it because the Government don't deliver.
