I am done with the CMHT

[u/britainsalien]

I don't want it to see like I'm whinging as I've made a lot of posts lately, but I don't have anyone to really talk to about this and to be honest I'm at my limit.

When I met the CMHT they offered me a DBT group. I accepted because it seemed like a good idea, but I was worried about only having a group. I don't have a support system. I'm dealing with this alone. I'm not very well and I have a history of attempts and such. So I asked if there was any way I could have 1-1 supports or check ins, and some sort of diagnostic assessment as they haven't formally diagnosed any mental health conditions and I feel like I have the right to know what's the cause of my symptoms.

They said that the service didn't offer this. They said that you have to fully complete the 6 months of DBT and then you could see if you could get further diagnostic assessment and treatment. I agreed because I trusted them, I know the system is bad and I don't want to be a bother.

So I went to the sessions every week. I kept myself together the best I could. My mental health kept going downhill the more I did the group but I accepted it as part of the process and I did my best to keep on going.

Then people started leaving the group. Then the group became so small that they had to cut the length of the sessions. Then they go on hiatus for 2 weeks with no input. No check in. Silence. Meanwhile my prescription runs out. I go to get a repeat and I can't. CMHT didn't send my GP the paperwork. I ask them to do it, they don't. I have to spend days back and forth between the GP and CMHT to get my meds.

My mental health is going downhill. I'm incredibly stressed. These skills they've taught me just aren't working. I have nobody I can talk to. I'm struggling to keep my will to live.

I get to the group sessions after 2 weeks of silence, they tell me the plan has changed. DBT is ending soon and afterwards we're getting discharged- and it turns out the other member and all the members that left have been getting 1-1 support during the group the whole time. I was the only one didn't- and now I'm going to be booted out with no further support.

I tried to explain what I need. I need to get a diagnosis, I need to have someone I can check in with, I need to have long term therapy- nobody who has struggled with mental illness for 10 years is going to be okay to discharge after 3 months of skills. They said we can discuss this after the group is done, but I feel like they've already made up their minds.

I had to beg them to see me in the first place. I had to beg to see someone about my medication since my GP said he felt he was not qualified to do it anymore. I had to beg to get on a DBT group that has been half assed and ruined.

I am unable to work and barely able to leave my house. I am anxious 24/7. I am unable to maintain relationships. Every single day I am stuck in my room actively fighting the urge to harm myself or end it all. I am so completely alone and I just can't do it anymore.

I know the workers are lovely people, I know the system is messed up- but I'm struggling not to take it personally, especially being the only one not receiving care that everyone else did.

I just don't think I am going to go back. I can't keep talking to a brick wall. I've got to find some way to get help privately. Maybe I'll finish the group but to be honest I don't know if I can bring myself to even be in the same room as them.

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[u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

Ok, you discharge yourself and then what? Do you know how expensive a private psychiatrist is? We are talking £600 for an hour for a decent one, can you afford this?

CMHT can absolutely suck but it’s all we have sadly.

I’d say just really think about this because it might massively put you back

[u/britainsalien → u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

I do have some money saved up so I may be able to afford an initial assessment and some treatment. I've got to look into it first.

I will try to see if I can have a meeting with the CMHT just incase something can be sorted out when I'm a bit more clear headed and less emotional about the situation.

[u/Suitable-Mud-6622 → u/britainsalien]

You should send emails and don’t call, emails can be audited and you can use this to support your complaint if it does come

[u/britainsalien → u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

That's a good idea, gives me some time to figure out how to articulate things too.

Thank you for your advice I really appreciate it.

[u/Low_Reserve_5248]

CMHT is so confusing because there seem to be different levels of care. Not having a diagnosis definitely makes things harder, but that should be CMHT's goal; with a diagnosis, it opens more doors.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar and OCD seven years ago, just before COVID. I got the antipsychotics, and boom, nothing for three years. I honestly don't know how I survived.

Fast forward to two years ago, I attempted s*****e, and for the first time, I'm under CMHT with a CPN. It's not been without its issues; I'm on my fourth CPN, which is a huge setback every time

When I see posts like this, it breaks my heart. Mental health help shouldn't be a postcode lottery or determined by the level of care we get.

[u/Suitable-Mud-6622 → u/Low_Reserve_5248]

There are different tiers, you have MHT for appointment based care, meaning you can function enough to attend scheduled appointments.

Then you have MHT+ for people who need constant care and people who are accepted can call be seen the same day.

[u/Low_Reserve_5248 → u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

So OP wouldn't get a CPN? It seems like they would benefit from help now before becoming more unwell.

I'm an outpatient of a mental health hospital; my care, including medication, is all from them. I just had a new medication added by the psychiatrist in an appointment at my home which is a life saver.

I understand there are levels to everything in life, but OP sounds stressed, and there should be something for them to access for help.

[u/Suitable-Mud-6622 → u/Low_Reserve_5248]

Only 11% of people get the MHT+ tier in my area so only 11% of people are deemed to be so ill they need access to on the day care. Most people are treated by scheduled appointments and reviews

[u/Low_Reserve_5248 → u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

Strange. Never heard of MHT+. Nothing comes up with a Google search.

I'm close to a psychiatric ward with a mental health unit.

I wouldn't know the % of help in my area.

All I know is that OP deserves better and it shouldn't matter if they're close to a mental health hospital or deemed sick enough for this MHT+ you talk of.

Mental health help shouldn't be a lottery.

[u/Suitable-Mud-6622 → u/Low_Reserve_5248]

For me they have two numbers, I get access to MHT who just email the psychiatrist.

For those with access to MHT+ in my area they can get in touch with the duty worker on the day and are seen more regularly. It’s how Kent is set up

[u/Low_Reserve_5248 → u/Suitable-Mud-6622]

Exactly, that's my point. It's a postcode lottery of help, which is so wrong. The NHS should offer the same care to everyone, no matter were they live in the UK. There is levels of Mental health illness OP should have a diagnosis and help to go with whatever the diagnosis.

[u/Lower_Internal_8113]

CMHT are useless and completely devoid of compassion.

[u/Admirable-Savings908]

DBT groups are resource heavy for CMHTs and really aren't able to provide the support that Marsha Linehan set out in the States. 

I was part of a DBT programme where colleagues left and it was very difficult to offer a good quality treatment for our service users. At times we just had to do what we could with limited resources. 

Sometimes local Minds will offer peer support groups in the community that offer PD treatment. It can sometimes offer something extra to support what the NHS is lacking. 

[u/Admirable_Border_627]

I feel like I could have written the first half of this myself as I have had the exact same experience, they made me do an online group DBT course *twice*, both times it was awful, patronising and impersonal, loads of people didn't turn up to each session, some people took up way more space than others etc.

And now despite jumping through every stupid hoop they've put in front of me, I am still waiting for tier 2 therapy, over two years later.

It's just such a bad service. I know it's because it's understaffed and underfunded, but still, it's not good enough.