Day 272 – The horrific statistic that demands attention
While flicking through tweets today I came across a statistic that sickened me. There is now an average waiting list of three years to receive counselling on the NHS. This shocked me as to be honest I know that in our district it is more like 18 months but nevertheless this average is worrying.
One of the things that has helped me overcome my illness over the last few months has been having someone independent of my life to talk things over with. Thanks to my counsel I have become better at having perspective on the triggers of my illness and the root causes of my problems. All too often drugs are given as the first answer as the waiting list is all too long. While inside I met a man who was lovely but who had problems. All he needed was someone to talk to but this was not a service that could be provided even inside a mental health institution.
The statistic is an embarrassment to our health service because of the serious symptoms involved with mental health problems. People who need help need it now not in three years time and if one has to wait this long things can get bad alarmingly fast. Thanks to a combination of counselling alongside attempts to find the perfect pill my bouts of depression have reduced considerably in size. Even last year an episode of depression could last as long as three months and now these days it can be as little as a week.
It hurts my heart to think that there are all these people out there who are not able to afford counselling who are going unheard. Their problems may be more or less severe than mine but because of a shortage of appointments they are being ignored. The difference between talking to a counsellor and a friend is that the counsellor is entirely independent therefore when you come out with an uncomfortable statement they do not take it to heart. Some of the things that can be said inside a room where confidentiality is assured and judgement is left outside the door can be hard to hear for a friend or relative.
I am aware that cut backs must be made but I feel strongly that this is a place where money needs to be spent and soon. People don’t just suffer with mental health problems they can die of them. The suicide rate has increased and still the government seems to be dragging its feet on doing something about it.
In some ways I cannot afford to keep having counselling, my finances are taking a hit and someday I struggle to see a way to pay the bills while continuing to see her. The problem is that at the same time I cannot afford not to continue as it is a crutch there for me that if I did not have I would fall. People who are suffering from head poorly need to be listened to and we need the government to listen to that need. They cannot stand by while people die because they had to wait too long to be heard.
