Friends and family provide me with the day-to-day relief of general life problems and the days where things just seem too much. They are there to cheer me up, listen to my worries and to allow me a safe space to cry or just be. They are my first port of call when things are feeling difficult, and can be counted upon if I need further help.
My care-coordinator is there for the more complex matters, someone professional to touch base with, to push through any specific needs I have, and to provide help with coping strategies and my worries and fears. She provides referrals for me to access therapeutic resources such as psychotherapy and CBT, which I am on a waiting list for, as well as being given a peer support worker and contact with the occupational therapy team. If she is unavailable, the community mental health team's duty worker can help me.
My GP is there to provide me with the basic medications I require on a daily basis; antidepressants and anxiety medications. He can help me if I feel I need a stronger dose, or if I have any new symptoms related to my mental health. If he cannot help, I can request an appointment with my psychiatrist.
If all else fails, or if I am in need out of hours, I can call the crisis team. Their dedicated workers can provide over the phone support, and if it is necessary to have longer-term support, I can be referred to their client list and have daily or weekly home visits depending on necessity and severity of my decline in health.
If I am still in need of support, or I have failed to contact the above, as a last resort I can attend A&E where I can get any physical injuries seen to, and where a psychological assessment can take place.
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