Mental Health at it's Finest (tongue in cheek)
By patgalca
@patgalca (18390)
Orangeville, Ontario
November 18, 2021 1:31am CST
Every year, the last Wednesday in January, Canada has a big promotion for mental health awareness. One of the major cell/telephone/tv/media providers donates .05c to every text (not imessage), tweet/retweet/shared Facebook post, etc. using the hashtag #BellLetsTalkDay. I have spent a good part of my day sending tweets to celebrities asking them to retweet. I've shared, I've texted my kids just for the heck of it, I've told my story. I am a strong supporter of Mental Health Care (because I have mental health issues) and this promotion has raised millions of dollars over the last 11 years.
I would like to know where the heck that money is going.
I am having issues. Lots of issues. My fibromyalgia is getting worse; I'm fighting the government to recognize I am still ill 25 years later and unable to work; I have a husband who is supportive in some ways but not in others... the list goes on. A big issue, as I've probably mentioned here, is looming retirement and my plans and my husband's plans don't match.
I decided to "see" a therapist. We're still social distancing so doctor's appointments are done over the phone or video. I was advised by the counsellor at my doctor's office that I should go through my husband's insurance company to get a counsellor because they would give me more sessions. Yeah, that's right. Our sessions our limited. To how many? Six. Yes, six. And the same goes for the insurance company unless it's more critical then it's 20, but they can open a new case to continue further if necessary.
On Monday I spoke to a therapist and she chose to focus on the retirement issue with my husband. She literally yelled at me telling me that I was not handling the situation properly. I have been to quite a few counsellors over the years but never once have they yelled at me. The intake workers are more empathetic and soft spoken than this old lady was (and we started in video which dropped so I know she's an old lady).
After two days I decided that having a therapist yell at me was not helping my situation. In fact I got off the phone feeling worse than when I got on. I decided to call intake again and ask for another counsellor. Well.... I was on hold for not 30 minutes, not 60 minutes, but 90 minutes. That's right, an hour and a half!!!!
I got another soft spoken, sweet caring intake worker who is actually going to report the therapist I spoke to and is submitting my request to a few therapists. One will call me back to make an appointment.
This is where our mental health system is at. Being on hold for 90 minutes; getting a therapist who yells at you; waiting weeks to speak to a therapist. Where are these millions of dollar going? And is any of this going to do me any good? We shall see.
I am in rough shape both physically and mentally. But I am also terribly saddened at our mental health care system. Something needs to be done. More and more people need help especially since the beginning of the pandemic. No one wants to suffer. I sure as heck don't. I've been doing it for 25 years if not more.
4 people like this
4 responses
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Nov 21
"I would like to know where the heck that money is going."
Me, too. Hugs.
Can you get any help from Catholic Family Services or COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) in your area?
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
18 Nov 21
Catholic Family Services will charge me a fee based on a sliding scale. My husband makes too much money. Where THAT money goes is a whole other story.
I spoke to the counsellor at my doctor's office and she said this was my best recourse, going through the insurance company. They are connected with Homewood (I know you know where that is). It is a big facility. There should be more efficiency.
2 people like this
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
19 Nov 21
@BarBaraPrz Yes they are an all round mental health rehabilitation facility. Well known. Shouldn't have gotten treatment like that.
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Nov 21
@patgalca One of my nieces was in Homewood more than 20 years ago, for an eating disorder.
2 people like this
@a_jerobon (2304)
• Eldoret, Kenya
18 Nov 21
I am so sorry for the mental health issues that you are going through. Plus the really saddening mental health system. That therapist who yelled at you is really incompetent in the job, I am glad that she will be reported.