[My Experience]: The mental health system in QLD is just based on an endless loop of referrals

[Jlol]

Sorry rant incoming.

Seriously, is there no one in the Queensland Mental Health system who can actually deal with, oh I dunno, Mental Health issues?!

I've been trying to deal with severe trauma issues for a while now and literally cannot get the help I need.

My trauma-informed psychologist, along with my GP, has strongly recommended I go to hospital for more intensive care. They gave me a letter to give to the MH team at the hospital.

So:

1. My psychologist referred me to the hospital MH team
2. The MH team referred me back to my psychologist
3. My psychologist referred me to a different hospital's MH team
4. MH team 2 referred me back to my psychologist and when I said that's where I had just come from they referred me to Beyond Blue
5. Beyond Blue referred me to my psychologist or back to hospital (what else were they meant to do?)
6. I contacted the hospital again who referred me to another outpatient NGO (can't remember their name), who referred me back to my psychologist

Is there actually any infrastructure in Queensland Health or mental health issues? Or is it just a bunch of people in front of computers with access to Google?

Sorry, but I'm f***ing sick of being treated like an inconvenience and passed around from organisation to organisation like an unwanted Christmas gift.

I need f***ing help. How do I get it?

[fluffylight]

Holding space for you @Jlol 💛

I'm sorry that its been so hard to get help. It sounds like you've been seeking to get your needs met and it's not working out right now.

Gosh it sounds like a long process you went through.

What are the options looking like now?

[Appleblossom]

Hearing you @Jlol I have been thinking that about health system down south too.  Not even the mental health system the whole shebang. I have had physical issues since late mid 1980s and only person who made a difference was one physio who reseaarched and told me to get a Cranial Sacral therapist. I have gone to her for 20 years I dont need many sessions per year now, and just used to being disabled.  I had to FIGHT to get it recognised in my NDIS plan! WTF!

[Jlol]

Thanks @fluffylight 

> What are the options looking like now?

I have 2 options:

1. Keep going with my psychologist who has already said they feel overwhelmed and unable to help properly, hence referring me to hospital (also my 10 mental health care plan sessions have run out so each session is going to sting).

2. Try to get into private hospital. I have lowest-level private health insurance, but can upgrade it to the more expensive one and use the once-in-a-life-time wait time waiver to get into private hospital.

Option 2 seems to be the most likely, but it's been hard work figuring this all out and even with the insurance is still going to be expensive with paying the excess and higher monthly fees (whilst not working because I'll be in hospital of course).

I just find it's terrible that we have public hospital treatments available for other conditions - a friend had cancer and received absolutely top-notch treatment, allowing them to fully recover - but no one cares about mental health which, it can be argued, is the number-one killer for people under 45 (and again for men late in life). 

If nothing else, can't the government think of all the billions of dollars lost in productivity and tax revenue, not only from deaths, but from people not being able to work?

[fluffylight]

Both options do seem like it'll have some out of pocket costs for you @Jlol

Sounding like option 2 is most likely, but ah the costs attached to it whilst unemployed does sound tricky.

You are voicing very valid concerns right now and I am sure many people can relate with this. There is a change that needs to take place to better support people with mental health needs. I am hearing you 💛

You deserve care and support 💛

[tyme]

Hey @Jlol ,

I'm sorry to hear you are going around in a loop/s. Totally not ideal.

It sounds like the hospital is stretched and so referred you back to the psychologist. But I can certainly hear that you psychologist is at a loss about what to do, and hence referred you on. 

I feel your frustration.

All my MH support was in the public MH system. I think I was one of the lucky ones. 

I hope you find the support you need.

[Jlol]

That's lucky @tyme. Where you in QLD?

[justanotherguy]

Hi @Jlol ,

When the system just adds to your trauma, you have to deal with that first. The actual traumas that led to my mental health treatment were far less damaging than the 20 years of mistreatment and abuse by the MH system and everything around me. I had to literally 'compartmentalise' my trauma in my mind (sort of put it to one side), then work on how to deal with the MH system first. Very draining but well worth it. Am enjoying life a little better each day, it has taken a huge effort to get back my life and restore some kind of sanity.

[nervouswreck]

That’s an awful series of experiences @Jlol , sorry to hear it!

I was in a pretty ordinary spot for a while, got a referral to see a psychiatrist, while continuing to see GP and psychologist regularly.  Was hoping the psychiatrist would have some new insights and ideas.  The waiting period was 3 months (an awfully long time to wait for help).  Finally got to see one, same medication as before (same as a GP can prescribe).. and the same old trope about how Western medicine doesn’t really understand how brain pills actually work, just that sometimes one of them will help a little bit.  An expensive visit to hear the same old story.  After a followup they referred me back to GP.. which I would have done anyway since they had not justified their exorbitant fee with any real genius idea.

MH system is pretty underwhelming really.  I’m lucky to have friends and family who are supportive.  They are the reason I feel any better, if the MH system was all I had then I can see how I’d be worse off because of it.

[Charlotte30]

I have been a carer/support person/family member of two people in Queensland Health hospitals over the years that were involuntarily hospitalised. Did you feel seen/heard in your experience with the Queensland Mental Health system? In many ways and on many occasions I did not. I am writing about the experience of caring for people with mental ill health in hospital for a Masters University assessment. I'd love to hear any further thoughts if you are interested to share. I realise this post is from I believe two years ago.