advice wanted,please (dont think will trigger, but may...who knows?!)

[l'il esky]

1)my doctor is referring me to the community/adult mental health service within the nhs.... i have never been to anything like this and dont know what to expect, hoping someone here might have some ideas?

2)this is a bit specific, but has anyone been referred to the mental health team in Bromley, Kent??

im fairly keen to go to a group support thing rather than one on one counselling. phoned MIND but they dont have anything regarding sh and said i'd need to go through gp, which i have.

i love my friends to pieces but they really dont understand and kinda expect me to get better asap like i can wake up and chose whether i feel crappy that day or not. thats why i like it here so much cos people understad and have expriences similar and certainly dont judge, but think i would like face to face support with other sh-ers

xx

[loopylucy08]

Usually you will be called to an appointment with a member of the team. The first appointment is usually just an informal chat for you to get to know a bit about them, and them to get to know a bit about you. They ask you all the bog standard quesions- about your medical history, your life and what you do, your family and relationships, and then more specific questions regarding how you see your current problems and what types of treatments you think would be helpful. Depending what they think and what you want, you may then be offered further appointments either with the team member you intially see, or another professional on the team specialising in a certain area such as a psychologist or an eating disorder nurse.
Usually you would be assigned to a member of the team to be your care coordinator. Your care coordinator is responsible for working with all the people involved in your care such as a GP and psychiatrist and they should produce a longer term care plan with you, which you should be offered a copy of. This outlines your treatment and the role of each of the professionals involved in your care. Typically you would regularly meet with your care coordinator to review your care plan and make any changes necessary.

If you talk to them about your interest in group work at the meeting, they may be able to access something appropriate for you. You could also try Get Connected, who are a charity dedicated to putting people under 25 in touch with services in their area to help them with difficulties they face.

I hope this helps a bit. It is a big step but most people find when they actually get there, its not half as scary as they imagine it to be. The professionals know people are nervous first time, so they are not going to be expecting you to spill the deepest and darkest secrets of your life history on the first appointment! They will take it at your pace, you dont have to tell them anything you dont feel comfortable with! But remember the more honest you are, the more help they can give you.

Good luck, let us know how it goes and feel free to ask any more questions you have
xxx

[l'il esky]

thanks becky, that really did help :) i think its a good idea, i jus want to get better and ive tried most htings so this is the last attempt really.

my gp has been really kind tho, so at least feel comfortable with her so hopefully that will help me. xx

[l'il esky]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alternate reality

I will leave a proper reply later. Im struggling as it is to form replies to people/posting. But i know i have LOADS :) to say.

I will come back as soon as i can but im getting exausted.
xx

thanks sweetie, reply whenever :) look after yourself hun xx

[Stellata]

I grew up in the Bromley area. But never saw the mental health team, so can't advise there. But I just wanted to wish you all the best with it. :)