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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Where do people in crisis but not suicidal have to go to get help?

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health
    ok, im pretty depressed, been that way for a while but today the shit hit the fan at home, no one cares about this here. So I get on google and start looking around, one site refers to another site which typically seems to refer to yet another service such as lifeline, here we have 1st and second year psyhology students who do a lot of verbatim reading and guess what, refer me to someone else such as SANE or mens help or whatever, blah blah. Most numbers have recorded messages and the only help your really gonna find available is government if your suicidal or pretend to be suicidal so you can go somewhere, anywhere, just to have a rest for god sake.

    There's no where to get help as such unless your rich or willing to put up with a public psych ward (not recommended). People in crisis but not suicidal have nowhere to go.
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  • JamesGrant

    HealthShare Member

    I have to agree with your analysis. It is a disgrace! It appears I am in the same boat; also done teh googling, called he various agencies and at best the can listen or have you dial the emergency number. But concrete directives and implementing strategies (with help) are not part of the service game. Possibly they will make the excuse that they would be liable. 

    I have had to drop my well paying job (not a good thought when there are substantial bills to pay and the money is running out - but there is not structure in place to get us back in the work place; nor is their structure to have us working with human contact in a purposeful activity. So you get like “stuck”. What say you?

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  • Brigitte Safrana

    Counsellor, Hypnotherapist

    I created Surfing The Blues and Surfing The Baby Blues Counselling & Hypnotherapy services in order to help individuals and couples restore balance in their … View Profile

    Hi there, i recognize that help out there is pretty abysmal but nevertheless there are people who are willing to give it a go. Try your community centre, they have sometimes counsellors who come on a regular basis and if that is not possible or does not exist in your area, you may want to try to have a chat with a spiritual leader, priest, reverend they do know how to listen, have some pretty good counselling skills and generally have a good knowledge of what is available not to mention that they might help you reconnect with a sense of purpose in your life.
    To talk with family and friends can also be very helpful. Hiding depression because of the stigma that surrounds it is very damaging and feed the guilt, you might be surprised as how many of your friends may be willing to help.  And talk to your GP, after all it is his/her job to direct you.
    Good luck.

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  • Anonymous

    I've suffered from depression since I can remember. I worked hard for a living in the USA and it helped me to cope. Then I moved to South Australia roughly 15 years ago to marry an Ozzy woman I'd known for a decade. I found it impossible to get a job in the same field without Australian certificates and the type of work references required here - though I had 25 years as a production supervisor and plant manager in a very specialised industry. I also began to experience severe chronic back pain, which made depression worse. The lower my bank account became the more stress to find a job and it was clear that I needed to learn a different job. I wasn't financially broke yet, so started seeing a psychologist at $200 per visit. On her advice I shared my depressed thoughts with my wife. Huge mistake! It scared her tremendously to be around me knowing that I had thoughts of hurting myself. I'd never told anyone about those thoughts and wish I'd never told her. It caused her and our kids to suffer too. That ended our marriage. I tried every avenue that I could find to get help but there was none to be found. I lost all hope. So I acted upon my thoughts (failing at that too of course) and wound up in an emergency ward, then transferred to a mental health facility. While in there I was setup with Centrelink, a disabilty employment service provider, better pain medications, and a psychiatrist. Because a psychiatrist is a doctor they are covered by medicare. I was lucky to find a guy who cares and bulk bills me. Psychologists are not covered by medicare even with a GP health plan and referral unless that has changed in the last few years or varies by state. I'm now on anti-depressants and receiving counseling regularly. The meds and psychiatrist have kept me alive and functioning. I may never be able to work again due to the back problems and depression, but I'm on a disabilty/social security pension. Unfortunately, it took a medical emergency to get any help. I'm not anti-Australia, I love this country and it is my home. But the mental health system is terribly broken. I'd never suggest that what did and didn't work for me would be the same for anyone else. But I hope sharing my story helps in some way. I wish you the best of luck. There's no worse feeling than hopelessness.

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  • 1

    Agree

    Georgina Watts

    Counsellor, Psychotherapist

    I am passionate about journeying with people on their road to wholeness. I work with males and females who are needing to work on self … View Profile

    I'm wondering if what you mean by there's "nowhere to go" "unless you're rich or willing to put up with a public psych ward" that you are referring to a respite type place  - one where you can actually go for a few days or more and get away from whatever it is, as well as to get some assistance in dealing with it all when you return?

    i don't know if anything like that exists but i know there are numerous counsellors/psychologists who are able to help. I know in crisis moments the need for someone there and then seems imperative and then to get the run around from sites you hope will help can be the straw that breaks the proverbial camels back. It would be a shame for you to keep yourself stuck in this place because of one bad experience or even ten or even one hundred. Finding a counsellor/psychologist who you can connect with and work with takes time but taking the first step to contact someone, make an appointment can give you that glimmer of hope. 

    I pray that you are not put off with trying to find help because of some of the horror stories that have been put up here. You can be helped, supported and listened to. Please call someone. Google "counsellors in (your suburb or council area)"or the same with psychologists and phone them during working hours to get the ball rolling. Don't wait for another crisis point: do it asap.

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  • 1

    Thanks

    Vivienne Colegrove

    Counsellor

    I have been working in Eltham, Melbourne as a relationship and family counsellor for over twelve years. I draw on current theory and research about … View Profile

    I agree with Georgina - I wonder if you are feeling the need for somewhere to check in and have some time in a residential setting where you can get more intensive support from time to time. This type of service is only available if you have private health insurance, and even then you often have to pay a gap. So yes, it is out of reach for those who do not have a high income - very unfair!

    It is possible to find counsellors and psychologists who offer crisis support, but as Georgina says, it's about doing your searching at a time you are not in crisis, so the person you find helpful is then available at the time you need later on. There are some great professionals around, but only you can know which ones will be right for you. As Georgina has said, do a Google search and have a chat to counsellors in your area. Often you can tell straight away from a short time on the phone if that person feels like they will be supportive, and if they have the right type of expert knowledge that will be helpful to you.

    As Georgina has said - really important NOT to wait until you are are crisis point again. Do it now!

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