"Mental health service for severe anxiety"

After a GP review I was referred to a mental health nurse for severe anxiety. They only work one day a week at my local health service so I had to wait almost a week for my appointment.

I had an appointment in the morning which I took off work and my partner also took the morning off to come with me. The day before my appointment, it was cancelled.

It was then 2 weeks until I had my next appointment - a telephone consultation. After 50 minutes of waiting for their phone call I had to go back to work. They then phoned an hour and a half later and the phone only rung once so I had no time to answer. I was left a voicemail saying I had missed my appointment and I had to re-organise yet again.

I finally got an appointment and was prescribed medication and was told I needed a follow up after a few weeks. I advised I was starting an apprenticeship so was not sure what time I would be able to take the call. I was told I could phone on my break or at the end of the day and they would fit me in.

Fast forward the few weeks when I have run out of my anti-anxiety medication and the nurse phoned while I was in a workshop so I was unable to answer my phone. I phone back and explain what I was told to the receptionist. I was told I had missed my appointment and I had to wait another 3 weeks for an appointment. I explained I had no medication left and was told I will have to wait until my appointment.

In the meantime I contacted my GP to see if they could prescribe me more but I was told it had to be the nurse. Finally got an appointment after weeks of anxiety at a time suitable for me. They cancelled.

I am extremely anxious but fortunately for me I have a great support system at home. For others they might not be so lucky and we wonder why the rates of suicide are so high? Ridiculous service. Do better. My mental health is at an all time low and this service is not helping.