Mental Health and Working from Home

[MintySky]

When I earn enough I will try and pay for private therapy (£60 an hour, once or twice a week!) who are more able to accommodate my illness - as the NHS has literally zero resources in my area to help, just get told to go to your GP who can do nothing.

That's really appalling. Do you know what your local IAPTS service is? Also, CMHT ought to be able to come out to you. Whereabouts are you, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MarkVersion2]

I'm in a similar situation to Domravioli having to pay for private therapy due to the lack of resources on the NHS, Meaning i've ended up in debt and due to finding it too hard to find work i have also resorted to trying the work from home route.

 

[domravioli]

That's really appalling. Do you know what your local IAPTS service is? Also, CMHT ought to be able to come out to you. Whereabouts are you, if you don't mind me asking?

IAPT here is an 18 month waiting list for 8 weeks of therapy (which is nowhere near enough). and CMHT don't take you unless you have a psychiatrist. I'm in Rochdale, we have almost zero provision unless you are so unwell you are suicidal and even then its dire.

 

[domravioli]

I'm in a similar situation to Domravioli having to pay for private therapy due to the lack of resources on the NHS, Meaning i've ended up in debt and due to finding it too hard to find work i have also resorted to trying the work from home route.

Absolutely awful isn't it. I was in debt because of therapy too, managed to get myself out of that hole just about, but desperate to have an income

 

[MintySky]

IAPT here is an 18 month waiting list for 8 weeks of therapy (which is nowhere near enough). and CMHT don't take you unless you have a psychiatrist. I'm in Rochdale, we have almost zero provision unless you are so unwell you are suicidal and even then its dire.

Rochdale would mean you come under the Thinking Ahead IAPT, I think. It's worth getting on the waiting list even when it's long, as there's always a chance it can come through sooner - mine did. If you do decide to try, make sure they put you on at least step 3 which is the intensive face-to-face therapy, and not the telephone therapy. I'm not sure how differently they do things in Pennine Care, but here the the number of sessions differs based on the type of therapy, and the face-to-face therapy is a lot longer. I've also been told you can self-refer again if you need more, and it's supposed to take less time then as they don't need to reassess you.

In the meantime, have you tried mental health charities like Mind? You can self-refer to them and they offer counselling services at a reduced cost.

 

[domravioli]

Rochdale would mean you come under the Thinking Ahead IAPT, I think. It's worth getting on the waiting list even when it's long, as there's always a chance it can come through sooner - mine did. If you do decide to try, make sure they put you on at least step 3 which is the intensive face-to-face therapy, and not the telephone therapy. I'm not sure how differently they do things in Pennine Care, but here the the number of sessions differs based on the type of therapy, and the face-to-face therapy is a lot longer. I've also been told you can self-refer again if you need more, and it's supposed to take less time then as they don't need to reassess you.

In the meantime, have you tried mental health charities like Mind? You can self-refer to them and they offer counselling services at a reduced cost.

I am on the waiting list (with priority), its been 8 months and nothing yet. And I'm agoraphobic, I haven't been outside for almost 4 years, so face to face therapy isn't an option.

Mind here also don't do therapy, the nearest one that does is over 15 miles away (by telephone that is) and you're required to go to be assessed which again isn't a viable option. There's no treatment or support for housebound patients.

 

[MintySky]

I am on the waiting list (with priority), its been 8 months and nothing yet. And I'm agoraphobic, I haven't been outside for almost 4 years, so face to face therapy isn't an option.

Mind here also don't do therapy, the nearest one that does is over 15 miles away (by telephone that is) and you're required to go to be assessed which again isn't a viable option. There's no treatment or support for housebound patients.

I wasn't sure if IAPT would offer home visits for face-to-face therapy, that's the only reason I brought it up. If you're too unwell for that, perhaps it's worth seeing if they can bump you up to step 4? I'm just trying to think of something that might help.

 

[Jon]

One of the things I looked into at the very start of the year would how TMS could link in better with disability groups (obviously including mental health!)

I think there's a lot that this site can do to make people feel they can take control over some aspects of their life and that they are not alone in worry about their finances.

I just need to find a way into that sector..

 

[Andrew]

One of the things I looked into at the very start of the year would how TMS could link in better with disability groups (obviously including mental health!)

I think there's a lot that this site can do to make people feel they can take control over some aspects of their life and that they are not alone in worry about their finances.

I just need to find a way into that sector..

We could work on something together in a I’ll bring the mental you bring the money sort of way. Martin Lewis has set up a sort of pressure group linked to it but it largely misses the point. Debt problems lead to mental health issues but with the right help and support in place it’s ebtireky possible to turn those problems into a positive as I hopefully have done! The hardest thing for people who suffer with mental health issues is I think the sense of isolation but it can be beaten!

 

[Jon]

We could work on something together in a I’ll bring the mental you bring the money sort of way. Martin Lewis has set up a sort of pressure group linked to it but it largely misses the point. Debt problems lead to mental health issues but with the right help and support in place it’s ebtireky possible to turn those problems into a positive as I hopefully have done! The hardest thing for people who suffer with mental health issues is I think the sense of isolation but it can be beaten!

Love that subtitle

I agree isolation is a such a huge factor!!!

 

[Andrew]

It really is. It’s a double edged sword as well because we isolate ourselves because we don’t want to get hurt but by isolating ourselves we deny ourselves one of the things that will help us feel better (social contact). Tackling the stigma around mental illness is I think going to be the next big and successful challenge for society. The nicest and kindest people I’ve ever met have been mentally ill so there’s got to be something wrong with a society that judges people for that

 

[Lynnie]

I've only just seen this thread but I'm glad I did because it has helped me realise that I am not alone in this. I suffer from agoraphobia and panic attacks, to the extent that even crossing the road outside my house (not a main road by the way) causes me to panic and feel faint. I had CBT which helped quite a lot, but then my father passed away and I was back to square one.

I have recently moved to Blackpool and friends and family have suggested meeting up for a drink at a pub in town or a walk along the prom - I can't do this easily but I feel silly if I try to explain that and I feel they will think I don't want to see them. I have a new doctor here so I need to see her and explain y situation, hopefully there will be some sort of help for me other than the tablets that I have been on for years (Sertraline).

I would like to get a job because I feel that would help, but getting there and back daily would be a challenge. I havde ordered a mobility scooter which looks more like a motorbike (no seat with arms, more a moped seat) because I know from past experience that using a 'crutch' helps. Now I am panicking about people judging me when I turn up for interviews or to work (if I am successful) on it, I can't win - I am my own worst enemy, I know.

 

[Andrew]

I've only just seen this thread but I'm glad I did because it has helped me realise that I am not alone in this. I suffer from agoraphobia and panic attacks, to the extent that even crossing the road outside my house (not a main road by the way) causes me to panic and feel faint. I had CBT which helped quite a lot, but then my father passed away and I was back to square one.

I have recently moved to Blackpool and friends and family have suggested meeting up for a drink at a pub in town or a walk along the prom - I can't do this easily but I feel silly if I try to explain that and I feel they will think I don't want to see them. I have a new doctor here so I need to see her and explain y situation, hopefully there will be some sort of help for me other than the tablets that I have been on for years (Sertraline).

I would like to get a job because I feel that would help, but getting there and back daily would be a challenge. I havde ordered a mobility scooter which looks more like a motorbike (no seat with arms, more a moped seat) because I know from past experience that using a 'crutch' helps. Now I am panicking about people judging me when I turn up for interviews or to work (if I am successful) on it, I can't win - I am my own worst enemy, I know.

I used to live in Clelveys although I'm in wrexham now. Sertraline is ace. The best thing to help though is getting out and about. I can assure you that no one will judge you for turning up to interviews or work on your scooter. They're common enough on the Fylde Coast!

 

[domravioli]

I wasn't sure if IAPT would offer home visits for face-to-face therapy, that's the only reason I brought it up. If you're too unwell for that, perhaps it's worth seeing if they can bump you up to step 4? I'm just trying to think of something that might help.

They won't do anything. I've kind of resigned myself to the fact there is no help here, I can't afford to move anywhere else, so I'm going to be like this for a very long time. I ring weekly to try and see where I am, just to be told we dont do timeframes, we can't tell you anything.

 

[Knopfler]

I have recently moved to Blackpool and friends and family have suggested meeting up for a drink at a pub in town or a walk along the prom - I can't do this easily but I feel silly if I try to explain that and I feel they will think I don't want to see them.

Can you try and say to them something like 'I would love to come out with you on xx day but I don't think I'll be able to on this occasion. Please don't stop inviting me though as I would not want to lose your friendship. Perhaps you can pop round to mine on xx day instead for a good chat'.

There is nothing worse than losing touch with friends and family because you are unable to socialise or get out much.

If they are close friends and family, hopefully they will stick by you and help in some way, even if they cannot understand WHY you can't do these things at the moment. We do sometimes need to tell them how we feel though, they are not mind readers after all.

Good luck. I would LOVE to live by the sea

 

[Knopfler]

Although not mental health related, for older people over 55 there is an organisation called 'The Silver Line' which has a 24 hour helpline you can ring if feeling lonely or isolated. More details here:

https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/what-we-do/

This is the ONLY helpline I know of that is open at night-time and weekends.

It may be of help to some. I just wish there were mental health related ones that were open all the time and not just office hours, as the night-times can be worse because there is no one to call and family/friends are all in bed etc.

 

[Jon]

There are without a doubt some very sad and upsetting stories in this thread ;(

 

[Blackpepper1]

There are without a doubt some very sad and upsetting stories in this thread ;(

Yes reading through this thread makes me feel sad that people are not getting the help and support they need.

 

[Andrew]

There are without a doubt some very sad and upsetting stories in this thread ;(

There's some positive ones as well though!!! I've used the money I raise from the shed to pay for a private therapist and it's definitely helping

 

[Andrew]

I'm happy to put together a 'money and mental health - there is a way out' guest blog together over the next week with some positive messaging if people are up for it?