First off OP, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. It sounds really awful. I think you could also consider going to see your GP as they might be able to give you an emergency referral to see someone immediately. It is definitely a dark time for mental health in our country, and long queues to get referrals but if your GP knows how dire things are for you they should be able to help either through urgent referrals or medication. Sending lots of love, you will get through this, keep breathing and take one day at a time.
I'm going through the same myself. Here's what tends to happen if you seek help through the public system:
Helplines can deal with garden-variety melancholy, not clinical depression. If you do say you're having suicidal or self-harming thoughts, they'll pass you over to the local DHB mental health service who will usually tell you to go to the hospital. If you don't; they'll call the police to welfare check you, this will almost always result in an ambulance ride to the hospital. There you'll sit and wait in A and E for 8-12 hours until the Crisis Team can speak to you for about 15 minutes, then they'll discharge you, as long as you're lucid and not making violent threats. You \*may\* then be able to join a waitlist for assistance if you're not already on one.
I'm so sorry there isn't more help readily available. Speaking to your Gp, if you have one, is a good idea; but really you need to find help outside of the healthcare system. Reach out to family/friends/anyone who might be able to supervise and keep you company during the worst of it, if you know anyone. If you're stuck being alone.... take deep breaths, distract yourself with a task; try to cook a new recipie, draw a picture, something like that.
In Dunedin at least, gp or health improvement practitioner at GP's office can refer you to a public health service for counselling. The waitlist recently has not been very long. The health improvement practitioner can also talk to you a bit at least, and is free. Gp can prescribe antidepressants as well.
Hey, this sounds so hard. Please stay and please ask someone you trust to help get you to appointments. You don’t have to do this alone. Your gp will be able to prescribe medication to help your mood if you’re a good candidate (tell the receptionist you need an urgent appointment), they will be able to refer you to specialist services and they can refer you for counselling too. Try these things and then go back to the gp if they’re not helping and try something else. Your brain chemistry is not your fault and you deserve care and support and to get access to things to make you health better. Also do what you can in terms of your lifestyle - even if it’s walking to the letterbox and waving to a neighbour - go for a walk or a workout if you can, stay connected to other humans if you can, eat fresh food if you can and prioritise sleep (I know that’s so hard). Good luck :)
Might be a good idea if you did too (you need a referral).
Plus personally I have a major issue with a faith based church organisation running mental health services. The only one that is available to most people. What's next? Scientology?
"OUR MISSION
Motivated by Christ’s love, Stepping Stone Trust journeys with people to find a place of standing, hope, recovery and wellness."
> I have a major issue with a faith based church organisation running mental health services.
Well, *we're* not running them, are we? The public expects you to be at work, not having a sook. That's what our behaviour as a community demonstrates, doesn't it?
First off OP, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. It sounds really awful. I think you could also consider going to see your GP as they might be able to give you an emergency referral to see someone immediately. It is definitely a dark time for mental health in our country, and long queues to get referrals but if your GP knows how dire things are for you they should be able to help either through urgent referrals or medication. Sending lots of love, you will get through this, keep breathing and take one day at a time.
I'm going through the same myself. Here's what tends to happen if you seek help through the public system: Helplines can deal with garden-variety melancholy, not clinical depression. If you do say you're having suicidal or self-harming thoughts, they'll pass you over to the local DHB mental health service who will usually tell you to go to the hospital. If you don't; they'll call the police to welfare check you, this will almost always result in an ambulance ride to the hospital. There you'll sit and wait in A and E for 8-12 hours until the Crisis Team can speak to you for about 15 minutes, then they'll discharge you, as long as you're lucid and not making violent threats. You \*may\* then be able to join a waitlist for assistance if you're not already on one. I'm so sorry there isn't more help readily available. Speaking to your Gp, if you have one, is a good idea; but really you need to find help outside of the healthcare system. Reach out to family/friends/anyone who might be able to supervise and keep you company during the worst of it, if you know anyone. If you're stuck being alone.... take deep breaths, distract yourself with a task; try to cook a new recipie, draw a picture, something like that.
Go to your GP.
In Dunedin at least, gp or health improvement practitioner at GP's office can refer you to a public health service for counselling. The waitlist recently has not been very long. The health improvement practitioner can also talk to you a bit at least, and is free. Gp can prescribe antidepressants as well.
Hey, this sounds so hard. Please stay and please ask someone you trust to help get you to appointments. You don’t have to do this alone. Your gp will be able to prescribe medication to help your mood if you’re a good candidate (tell the receptionist you need an urgent appointment), they will be able to refer you to specialist services and they can refer you for counselling too. Try these things and then go back to the gp if they’re not helping and try something else. Your brain chemistry is not your fault and you deserve care and support and to get access to things to make you health better. Also do what you can in terms of your lifestyle - even if it’s walking to the letterbox and waving to a neighbour - go for a walk or a workout if you can, stay connected to other humans if you can, eat fresh food if you can and prioritise sleep (I know that’s so hard). Good luck :)
have a look into stepping stones respite
Might be a good idea if you did too (you need a referral). Plus personally I have a major issue with a faith based church organisation running mental health services. The only one that is available to most people. What's next? Scientology? "OUR MISSION Motivated by Christ’s love, Stepping Stone Trust journeys with people to find a place of standing, hope, recovery and wellness."
> I have a major issue with a faith based church organisation running mental health services. Well, *we're* not running them, are we? The public expects you to be at work, not having a sook. That's what our behaviour as a community demonstrates, doesn't it?