Care Plan -You SHOULD have one

[utter nutter]

I know nothing of this at all. Not even heard about it. I think my CMHT have been really slack actually. When I was first re-ferred to them from A&E, I had an assement with a social worker and a .... wouldnt have a clue as he didnt say.. both foreign and both males.  Yes just what I needed to be shut up in an office with. There final parting words to me were, well there's nothing wrong with you, yes you may be cutting, but thats not really a problem. After months of my GP getting sick of seeing what I was doing to myself, she got more involved and I finally got to see a psycologist. 10 days ago, I came out of A&E for the 4th time in 10 days after 3 od's and lots of SH. It was my GP her contacted the CMHT to find out what to do... they decided they would discuss it, possibly admit me and would get back to me.... I didnt hear from them until I got an appointment to see someone at CMHT. I had no idea what about or who. Even after this 3 min appointment, I still dont really know what is happening, what the plan for my life i other than I have weekly appointments with my psyhc. Its really hard not knowing about what is happening.

I think I need to look into this CPA thing.

[icklechick]

Hi utter nutter,

Services suck...and I had the same experience as you for years. Unfortunately, some CMHTs only deal with "severe and enduring mental illness" which in their limited vocabulary only include schizophrenia/bipolar and other psychotic disorders - or possibly severe, enduring depression.

Self-harm doesn't always indicate a mental illness, but they are still wrong that there is "nothing wrong with you" - because noone should feel so bad that they have to hurt themselves. It just means that you don't fit into their li'l tick boxes, and so it's easier for them to not accept you as a patient.

It sounds like, from what you've said, that you're still in the "assessment process" - and as such you won't be on the CPA yet. You get put on that once you're receiving treatment from secondary MH services - and even then, in most cases, it's mainly a "paper exercise" with no real benefits to it anyway!

I've been seeing my T and psych (it's not strictly secondary MH services where I go - but a specialist SH team) for 2 years, and have had 1 CPA meeting. It tends to be more useful if you see lots of different people (social worker/occupational therapist/psychologist etc) because it makes clear about who's supposed to be doing what etc...but as I just see 2 people, it was just 3 of us in the room saying "yeah, things are going well...see you in 6 months" (even though I was still seeing them weekly for stuff anyway!)

I'm sorry they're being rubbish with you. Unfortunately, it's not an uncommon experience

[Savannah]

Been in the MH service for 12+ years and seen countless shrinks, CPNs n other morons but CPA's have NEVER been mentioned and I certainly haven't had a meeting about them

[utter nutter]

icklechick

Thanks for the reply.. yes they have been rubbish. My friend rang CMHT the other week for me -I have a phone phobia and they told her, they couldn't help me, I'd have to contact CRISIS... Crisis tell me they cant help I'll have to contact CMHT... basically no one want to help me. My psyhc only works 2 days a week at cmht so if I need to talk to someone on any of the other days Im screwed.
Its really annoying that they dont really see SH as a major problem... it is effecting my life in every asbectof my life, and struggling not to loose my job... how can it not be a problem?

[jewels]

Hiya
This is interesting stuff. Does it apply to children's mental health teams as well? CAMHS hold young people up to the age of 18 and then they transfer to adult mental health services - as most people may be already aware of.
There is no written care plan for my daughter, at least as far as we know, she has been awaiting one for at least 6 months despite asking for one we have not received one.

[anastasiab]

hmm that's interesting

i have a key worker but i've never really seen it as having a care plan. i have a safety plan now included in my file that i wrote but that's about it. hmmm

[jewels]

Hi Firenze
Could you ask to see your file? I think you have a right under the data protection act, and you could write in to ask to see it. Google data protection and you'll find the info.

[jewels]

Hi Firenze
Yes its a bit rubbish to feel not included in your own care plan, I guess it makes it hard to say something if you don't trust these professionals as well.

[jandj]

mmm... I'm in a minority then with a care and crisis plan and regular reviews and full discussion of my diagnosis.

[anastasiab]

i should also point out that my psych ensures i get a copy of my notes from meetings with him although i've declined to see them so far but they want me to and i can at any time. i also see my social worker weekly