Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if any of you are currently on the waiting list for mental health treatment whether it be psychotherapy or psychiatry etc. I have been waiting since the end of November to see my local mental health team for psychiatry, my GP said it could be well into the New Year before I'm offered an appointment, I'm sick of waiting, I feel so lonely and I don't talk to anyone about my feelings, my counselling sessions have ended with my counsellor at my F.E. college and I don't know what to do, I was referring myself to counselling for CBT and bereavement services but I got a letter saying that their waiting list is too long and they wouldn't be able to offer me an appointment. What should I do? I'm so stressed and pissed off.

That's awful. You should talk to someone who is kind and patient. A lot of studies show that people who talk to friends make the same kinds of progress with depression (the kind where it isn't so severe that it has to be treated) as people who seek therapy.

A temporary solution, but a helpful one at that.

I never checked myself to a psychiatrist, even once. I've been through a lot of problems, I am really concerned with my mental health.

I feel you boo, sometimes my medical appointments take up to 6-7 months (I have a weak bladder)
But you gotta remember these medical staff are under pressure to serve a lot of people yet do it with quality, and there's loads of people waiting to get served too. I'm wishing you the best.

I had to wait a while when I first sought help. It was agonizing because I was so desperate and just wanted to die, basically. But once you "get in" you are in for good, and you will have regular visits with a doctor and a therapist on a very regular basis!

I know that a lot of people have more severe cases are in need of urgent treatment and I know medical staff are under a lot of pressure as well, but surely I'll not have to wait 6-12 months, will I? I don't know if I could wait that long tbh.

My first counselling session ended up being double-booked so I've had to wait another month for a new appointment. I've personally found the Samaritans helpful at times, when I've felt lonely or that I have no-one to talk to.

I don't know where you live, but I'm guessing the UK by the fact you have a GP. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think they have GPs in America or Australia? I may be wrong.) Here's the link to the Samaritans. They're UK based, I believe, so they're there if you need someone to talk to. Stay strong, love.

EDIT: St. Charles has a good point, too. If you have a friend that you can talk to, I'd definitely recommend that as well. Make sure they're helpful, though. The last thing you need is to talk to a friend who tells you it's "all in your head" and "everyone has their down days". That's not helpful for you, and it won't make you feel any better. It'll just make you frustrated and second guess yourself.

Thanks, I do live in the UK, Northern Ireland to be specific, I have used the Samaritans before and they are a great help, I hate when people judge you because of a mental illness, they think you're crazy and sick, it makes me so angry.