Re: Margaret McCartney: If this was cancer there’d be an outcry—but it’s mental health
In Scotland, there is a national resource housed by NHS24 - Living Life and Breathing Space. The former is a free phone service offering therapy (guided self-help and CBT) for anyone over 16 years of age with:
•low mood
•mild to moderate depression
•anxiety
Ideal for those in remote locations where local services are at a distance (I am currently on an Orkney Isle). However, the waiting time to assessment is 6 months and a further delay of six weeks to beginning therapy if accepted.
All that is left in the meantime is Breathing Space for those with more acute needs unsure where to turn to - to listen and offer information and advice. The service is open in the evenings and weekends when family, friends or GPs may be unavailable.
It isn't really good enough, is it? I await the reasons for such a wait - staff absence, recruitment difficulty, funding limits, whatever? Presumably the therapist could be anywhere in the world able to us a phone and be understood.
Rapid Response:
Re: Margaret McCartney: If this was cancer there’d be an outcry—but it’s mental health
In Scotland, there is a national resource housed by NHS24 - Living Life and Breathing Space. The former is a free phone service offering therapy (guided self-help and CBT) for anyone over 16 years of age with:
•low mood
•mild to moderate depression
•anxiety
Ideal for those in remote locations where local services are at a distance (I am currently on an Orkney Isle). However, the waiting time to assessment is 6 months and a further delay of six weeks to beginning therapy if accepted.
All that is left in the meantime is Breathing Space for those with more acute needs unsure where to turn to - to listen and offer information and advice. The service is open in the evenings and weekends when family, friends or GPs may be unavailable.
It isn't really good enough, is it? I await the reasons for such a wait - staff absence, recruitment difficulty, funding limits, whatever? Presumably the therapist could be anywhere in the world able to us a phone and be understood.
Competing interests: No competing interests