Phoned out of hours for support to be told via answering machine to call back in the morning. If bad call 111. Called 111 to be told will get a call within the hour. Just before the hour was up received the call to be told overwhelmed with callers and so if wanting to harm myself go to A&E.
There is a lack of care and empathy from service providers across Birmingham. No one listens, and NHS mental health services are hard to access with long waiting lists. You are just given a list of people to contact and self refer to in the meantime, that's not so easy to do when your mental health is low.
They're okay but I didn't make the most of the service as I find it hard to talk about my mental health so I didn't get the support but I don't feel like I need it now.
I have been waiting for over 5 months for counselling for PTSD. I had my initial assessment but not heard anything since. Very disappointing and frustrating, it takes a lot to reach out and ask for help and then no help is forthcoming.
Perinatal mental health service is really good. Quite flexible so will let me change appointments and adopt the sessions to make it supportive for that day.
The talking therapies service available through the NHS is fantastic. They got me through a very difficult, challenging and depressing time. The staff were fantastic, they were dedicated, committed and always very helpful.
A closed shop and pathological culture which is obsessed with optics rather than honesty and accountability. Needs a good clear out.
Inaccessible. Line busy all the time. Impossible to answer their phone call appointment because they never call on time. Make anxious people even more anxious.
They're really good. They call me once a week for a welfare check and if I need anything they can help with they will. They also send emails which is nice to check in as well as calls. They're very supportive.
We have had family therapy at the Uffculme centre. If every parent going through a rubbish time had this support it would be great.
Ndakhala ndukukanika kugwira ntchito. ndimadandaula nthawi zonse, kukanika kudya
My daughter was doing well until Viola Mvududu got involved, now after residing in a placement for 2yrs 4 months she’s going to evict her even though this is a crucial time when she’s just started her DBT therapy, her boss Tracy smith is now trying to get her a replacement placement in the same area because of this woman’s neglect, but they are running out of time before she gets evicted, my daughter has self harmed because of this even though she hadn’t self harmed in 17 months until this Viola became involved.
My daughter was doing a psychology degree achieving fantastic results, and was due to submit her final assignment, but has now lost all motivation because of this woman she’s even destroyed that, this place should be closed.
I was seeing a Dr at Longbridge, he was a very good doctor. I phoned and asked for a letter for a PIP assessment and was told he had left, and more doctors were coming soon. In that time, I really went downhill but there is no point calling duty for help, they can't help you, and if you aren't actively suicidal there's nothing they can do anyway. I stopped leaving the house as much, not going out to food shop, I don't have the energy to make food and watching tv brings no enjoyment, just background noise. I am waiting for talking therapy too, that has been 8 months so far. I phoned the service to ask when I would get a doctors appointment as I know I should get a physical health check with the medication too. She just said 'you aren't down for an appointment'. So I am supposed to see a psychiatrist every 3 months and haven't been seen for what is coming up to a year. I could be dead and no-one would know
They are looking into getting me some face to face appointments as I see a psychiatrist regularly.
They very clearly do not care to actually work with the people needing help, no flexibility or accountability, when I asked why a complex mental health service has no accommodations for people with complex mental health I was told "maybe you aren't ready for help from us" and to go private as if that's even a viable option.
Every call I've had has ended in tears due to their attitudes and their seeming commitment to ignorance and misunderstanding you, places like this make me understand why people don't try to get help anymore, just years on a waiting list to finally get an appointment and be treated like you're wasting their time. Horrible place, horrible staff, crazy they even work with vulnerable people in need considering the way they treat people, I wouldn't be surprised if they caused more harm than they've stopped honestly.
Furthermore, just as I thought they couldn't get any worse, they absolutely did. Not even halfway through my sessions and the doctor has up and vanished? I've now been left high and dry for the last 6+ weeks with absolutely no support, no one has so much as reached out to check in after abruptly stopping my sessions and no explanation! They just cancelled my appointment last minute with no notification until I'd already arrived for my app, 6+ weeks ago and I haven't heard from them since. For a mental health service, they really couldn't give less of a s**t about people's mental health.
At this point I will be putting in a formal complaint as this is just beyond horrific, place needs shutting down.
I called duty and told them I was ill and they told me to go to A&E. I didn't think it was the right thing to do at the time but I wasn't in the right place to make that judgement.
I have been let down by their secondary care mental health services since 2016. I asked for a clinical psychologist for my complex trauma. I have time and time again been sent to different practitioners and had to repeat my trauma over again. Last year I did 6 treatments of CBT and she then made a referral for EDMR therapy which has been proven to be useful for complex trauma. I have since seen 3 people with no proper assessments. I was then to be told that EDMR is not suitable as I am too on edge. I asked for alternatives and they said nothing was available. I have tried talking therapy and CBT and I left feeling a lost cause with no support given by anyone ever.
They're disgusting. My son struggles and they are just shocking.
I first became ill 27 years ago and have basically been given pills and told to go away Thanks to this lot I have the settled expectation of dying in the MH system. Had they done their job properly, I would still be in work instead of being early retired due to mental ill- health. All that they bother with is asking when I am going to do voluntary work- which is code for asking me when I am going to get a job. Precisely just how much extra tax do they want me to pay? Then the occupational therapist said that going somewhere and making gift bags would help me " give back" to society. He could not answer when I told him that I have a clean criminal record and as I pay tax on my occupational pension, I do not welcome being made " busy" and that I will do what I want to do, all perfectly legal, when I want to do it.
Even going to the local MHT results in a complaint on every visit. On one occasion, I was told to use the men's toilet as the ladies was filthy and the cleaner, who apparently is paid to clean the toilet, refused to do. However, when I pointed out that the NHS is legally bound to provide single- sex spaces, nobody could answer me.
The only reason that I attend my appointments is for authorisation of my meds. In other words, to get my drugs. And I really hope that this Trust is proud of what they have turned me into.
I contacted the crisis team, it is very expensive to contact reception. If you are in crisis they should come out to you. They spoke to me in the most condescending, patronising and ill manner. They are not helpful and they left me with a psychotic husband. They wouldn't access home treatment and the community team didn't respond for 3-4 days. They didn't come out to assess him. They need proper action plans need to be put in place. I wish they would get rid of the crisis team and get physical help for people in crisis. A&E is not the option. A&E in Seacole or High Croft to develop.
Community mental health team sorted my medication and were helpful. I has 2 psychiatric nurses to help me. Brilliant.
I looked forward to calls from a lady here and then one day she said it would not continue. There was no notice. The funding had stopped dead and that was the last session. It was like my right arm had been cut off. Luckily she had referred me onto Birmingham Mind initially so now I am accessing their hub. I miss the calls though.
They terminate people's placements and without telling them. They're not professional and they are not trusted for mental health services. They're not good.
I have no access to the Barberry service at the moment but was recently discharged from the Jasmyn suite where I was for 3 years. There were always interpreters and the communication was always good. I was discharged with a CPN but not sure where it is.
You don't get as many appointments as you should and you get 2 face to face appointments that are 30 minutes long. My psychiatrist left and I didn't have an appointment for 6 months.
I go to Osborne House every couple of weeks for my medication. I see the CPN every week and they arrange all my healthcare. They've been really helpful.
They've helped me since leaving prison, they put me back on my medication. I have regular check ups and then they will be reviewing my medication and bloods at my next appointment.
2 years ago mild cognitive deterioration. Memory assessment team came out to do the assessment and then said need to be referred to QE for new brain scan.
They're useless. Don't feel like they're very good.
Very happy with them. Look after her they give her a special number to call if she’s having a bad day and they will get back to her the same day. They don’t let her deteriorate, they're on top of things.
You can get appointments easily and get through to them on the phone. When I go there, I feel like they are listening to me.
I have never been treated accordingly by these people, it’s a wonder I am still alive
Another test
Please ignore
This is White Bear testing.
My daughter was self harming and she attempted to take her life mental health team was called, this was June 2020 she is still waiting to see a doctor by face she has had 5 telephone consultations how can they diagnosed by not seeing the person it would my daughter feel a lot better if she could get a face to face. Because she is living in a care home (due to a health issue what happened in 2019) they seem to push her to one side because she is ‘safe’ but the care home are not mentally health trained!
It\'s 16:01
Where to start, long waiting times passed from one department to another no treatment plan no return calls no supplier when I was desperate in fact their complete lack of care made me feel worse, I was made to feel they hadn’t time for me along with saying they were too busy not what you need to hear when you are feeling at your lowest eb
The biggest problem is the waiting time to get help. My son took an overdose in June he was only able access mental Heath professionals in November. One session. Then the advice was keep taking the tablets. What he needs is time to talk about his ongoing problems and professional help to sort them out or help to cope with them.
Average
When u have to go in for a time they send u to the other side of birmingham so your partner cannot visit you we can't afford taxis and you are completely isolated.
Unable to allocate the time needed for your crisis. Doctor and nurse run rings around you when you are not in the position to get your point across.
The crisis team were supposed to contact me every day but didn’t this made me more anxious because I felt on my own
It is an established fact that the vast majority of adults with ADHD have never been diagnosed or treated, and as awareness grows there are huge numbers of people like me coming to the realisation that it is the reason why they have struggled so much in life. But investment in services has not been increased nearly as much as it needs to and the waiting lists are now in the region of 2 years. I’ve been fortunate to have the means to be seen privately in the interim but many people in the same situation do not.
Disgusting
Appalling lack of care. Conflict between staff and poor communication between mental health practitioners within integrated care settings resulting in traumatic outcomes.
Poor, very long waiting list 2 years now.
I'm a former NHS mental health practitioner who tried to take their own life a year ago due to severe depression following burn out while unsupported in working with suicidal teens and children in acute distress within the NHS during the pandemic. After my attempt I spent 5 weeks in in-patient mental health services which left me with PTSD. I'm still waiting for a community mental health service psychology assessment let alone treatment. I tried to access EMDR via Living Well Consortium (at the suggestion of my CPN) but was only offered sessions with a practitioner who was so visually impaired he was unable to see my eye movents. My CPN has been fantastic as was my initial crisis team support on returning home. But my experience of services apart from those two aspects indicate a service area which is not only broken in Birmingham but with minimal interest in changing it. I've been told by Trust staff that therapeutic activities which would've been available previously on-site such as music and art have been forbidden by commissioners/senior managers. The Trust's approach to social prescribing is chaotic and inadequate at best while disheartening at worst.
Survey Monkey General Feedback
Children with mental health problems are turned away from early help and support is very poor. They chat about it and do nothing but talk,
Lack of support and slow service for autism & ADHA. No trans-inclusive service workers.
Discharged and pass you around no care.
Disgraceful after finding out because i missed an appointment last year they had removed me from there books when my mental health is classed severe! I even phoned same afternoon about half hour after missing appointment explaining why i missed that appointment! I was told not to worry at the time that i would be given another appointment which didn't happen!! I found out i had removed from there books when i phoned to ask why i haven't had another appointment. my appointment i had last month has also been changed to later this year in June! which means not had anyone to see me since last year in July! I'm now feeling i have been failed yet again by the mental health services!! had enough off being let down where i lived before moving to Birmingham last year in June! seems people with any form of mental health issues are forgotten about!!
In mental health support was really lonely during the pandemic, we need Government to look at this very critically. We also need those who care for mental health their payments must be improved so that they can carry good care.
Utterly appalling service that leaves the most vulnerable without the support they promised.
My son never get the quality of care that he needs
Dreadful service. Even if you see a psychiatrist, they listen but don't actually do anything.
Despite being referred twice for talking therapies, I've not even received an acknowledgment. I appreciate the use of internet based consultations but not using normal apps (like zoom, teams) means that I could join in normally because of conflicts with my mobiles settings. I understand that they don't want to give out email addresses but there's a reason why some services are world leading and used by governments and businesses to conduct confidential calls.
The team are fantastic. They are so understanding and happy to help. The education group and monthly groups have been extremely helpful to me and I continue to enjoy the benefits of this service.
Service from Team very spasmodic
I have been suffering from sever depression for years, my GP keeps referring me for treatment, mental health staff keep refusing to help. My experience is that there is no Mental Health support in Birmingham.
My mother has dementia and the service provided to her has been wonderful, Very supportive staff and a great help in time of need, despite my father being reluctant to accept help.
Appalling lack of help and support. My information wrongly typed and not corrected.
Some of the doctors and CPN's don't care about their patients
They have supported me for a number of years with my mental health issues and I have found them to be very caring and helpful. Always someone there if I need help
All most non existent.
Need more access to mental health suppot
I had been waiting a good few months for an appt. When my appt happened I was not taken very seriously and they decided not much could been except meds and CBT which does not work for Autism. If they are not specialists in Autism etc then why could not refer me to an specialist service and not back to my GP
No treatment given to seriously ill patient for months, take no account at all of patient views and wishes. Uncaring and rude staff, who lie and falsify records. Refused requests for consultant change, with no appeal available. Now withdrawing all treatment, which is bordering on the criminal and making patient extremely ill, with no one who seems able to stop them or intervene to help.
I am very satisfied by the quality of service provided by PALS in resolving my complaint. They provided quick support and help.
People in our community don’t understand what mental health is and how it impacts other aspects of life. More mental health awareness is needed at the grass root community level. Although BSMHFT is doing a great job, but more engagement and awareness at the community level will further help combat mental health problems in a better way.
I was recently diagnosed with autism following a life full of depression and 6 traumatic years with this mental health trust, having been treated intensively by clinicians there whilst failing to diagnose my autism altogether.
During my time with them, I was registered with a number of their services where I met many medical professionals who failed to notice I was autistic including:
The Lyndon resource centre
Cullum lodge SPS
Zinnia centre
Home treatment service
Reid
A few years ago I nearly died, having been made suicidal following a psycholofical treatment there. I was referred to the specialist psychotherapist service at the trust for intensive psychological treatment which I did for the best part of a year before that. The clinician failed to notice my autism and the therapy ended up breaking the precarious balance I had managed to build in my life, leaving me confused, disoriented and in emotionally dysregulation. I became really Ill, sensory, emotionally and my executive functioning was severely distorted. Prior to that in my life, I had suffered with depression and anxiety for being different and not understanding it. Now I suffer with all the symptoms of a CPTSD as a result of the medical trauma for treating me psychologically whilst ignoring my them unsuspected autism and not understanding the way I communicate.
During my breakdown, I could hardly make a sentence or walk. I was covered with physical injuries because I could not coordinate spatially, I stopped any kind of social interaction altogether. I could not remember what day of the week it was.
That was back in 2016.
I was then reassessed for more of the same treatment which I felt I needed because my mental health had deteriorated so profoundly. I returned to the same service at the trust despite the trauma from my previous therapeutic attempt having no other alternatives. It was deemed as appropriate by the trust.
I continued my treatment there whilst feeling severe PTSD symptoms. I could not even begin to explain what these feel like and I live with them to date with no exception. But my symptoms didn't seem to be displaying on the surface which is typical of autistic people before we reach a critical sensory overload. I kept feeling worse whilst the therapist kept making remarks about why I seem to not be improving during much of the treatment.
The therapy ended badly for me. I lost my home, my children who now live with their father because of how Ill I was made during that time. I am too emotionally scarred to allow any person near me any longer as a result. Despite my differences, I used to try to make friendships before and now I cannot.
I was made to feel suicidal by the lack of autism understanding at the adult services ran by the trust. I don't believe they consider autism as a problem resulting in mental health difficulties in female adults entering the services for depression such as I did. My personal experience has been utterly damaging and I feel dehumanised, ignored, disrespected, mistreated and scarred by my experience.
I wish that I knew I was autistic all these years ago with the trust before all my personal suffering but for pointing this out to them, I have only received threats and disregard in return.
The specialist multidisciplinary team who diagnosed me with autism a few months ago also disregarded all the previous diagnosis made by clinicians at the mental health trust but their opinion about this was completely disregarded despite all the years of oblivion regarding my developmental disorder by the clinicians at the trust.
According to my current diagnosis, I should be in the highest proportion or people under suicide threat yet, this trust has offered me nothing but a lack of understanding and more threats for pointing out my issues to them.
I would not encourage any autistic adults in mental health distress using their services. I do not believe that the services are up to scratch, nor do I believe that the mental health trust is committed to caring for autistic patients. I live with the trauma of my care there and I wish it to no other person. I feel victimised for the sheer lack of autism understanding and I had been made to feel that it is my fault for raising awareness about my problems whilst been ignored as if autism is not something that can affect an adult.
I was recently diagnosed with autism following a life full of depression and 6 traumatic years with this mental health trust, having been treated intensively by clinicians there whilst failing to diagnose my autism altogether.
During my time with them, I was registered with a number of their services where I met many medical professionals who failed to notice I was autistic.
A few years ago I nearly died, having been made suicidal following a psycholofical treatment there. I was referred to the specialist psychotherapist service at the trust for intensive psychological treatment which I did for the best part of a year before that. The clinician failed to notice my autism and the therapy ended up breaking the precarious balance I had managed to build in my life, leaving me confused, disoriented and in emotionally dysregulation. I became really Ill, sensory, emotionally and my executive functioning was severely distorted. Prior to that in my life, I had suffered with depression and anxiety for being different and not understanding it. Now I suffer with all the symptoms of a CPTSD as a result of the medical trauma for treating me psychologically whilst ignoring my them unsuspected autism and not understanding the way I communicate.
During my breakdown, I could hardly make a sentence or walk. I was covered with physical injuries because I could not coordinate spatially, I stopped any kind of social interaction altogether. I could not remember what day of the week it was.
I was then reassessed for more of the same treatment which I felt I needed because my mental health had deteriorated so profoundly. I returned to the same service at the trust despite the trauma from my previous therapeutic attempt having no other alternatives. It was deemed as appropriate by the trust.
I continued my treatment there whilst feeling severe PTSD symptoms. I could not even begin to explain what these feel like and I live with them to date with no exception. But my symptoms didn't seem to be displaying on the surface which is typical of autistic people before we reach a critical sensory overload. I kept feeling worse whilst the therapist kept making remarks about why I seem to not be improving during much of the treatment.
The therapy ended badly for me. I lost my home, my children who now live with their father because of how Ill I was made during that time. I am too emotionally scarred to allow any person near me any longer as a result. Despite my differences, I used to try to make friendships before and now I cannot.
I was made to feel suicidal by the lack of autism understanding at the adult services ran by the trust. I don't believe they consider autism as a problem resulting in mental health difficulties in female adults entering the services for depression such as I did. My personal experience has been utterly damaging and I feel dehumanised, ignored, disrespected, mistreated and scarred by my experience.
I wish that I knew I was autistic all these years ago with the trust before all my personal suffering but for pointing this out to them, I have only received threats and disregard in return.
The specialist multidisciplinary team who diagnosed me with autism a few months ago also disregarded all the previous diagnosis made by clinicians at the mental health trust but their opinion about this was completely disregarded despite all the years of oblivion regarding my developmental disorder by the clinicians at the trust.
According to my current diagnosis, I should be in the highest proportion or people under suicide threat yet, this trust has offered me nothing but a lack of understanding and more threats for pointing out my issues to them.
I would not encourage any autistic adults in mental health distress using their services. I do not believe that the services are up to scratch, nor do I believe that the mental health trust is committed to caring for autistic patients. I live with the trauma of my care there and I wish it to no other person. I feel victimised for the sheer lack of autism understanding and I had been made to feel that it is my fault for raising awareness about my problems whilst been ignored as if autism is not something that can affect an adult.
BSMHFT organised a very good event, lovely atmosphere very welcoming and happy place. It was nice to see a good mix of diversity, lovely people to meet, great for networking.
Many thanks for your kind words. We are really glad you enjoyed the event.
Sleep Apnea, the service gained from NHS has not been the best, there has not been any follow up treatment.
BSHMHFT - Funday
Excellent Service
Great service
Great Staff and services.
Went to BSMHFT Northfield centre to be assessed to get support. GP referred me to this service. I was told that I am not eligible for support there. They told me that they can’t treat me because I have a learning disability. I am diagnosed with moderate depressive disorder and I am getting medication for it. They have had to up my medication but I have not received any talking therapy for over 10 months now. My mental health is deteriorating because I am not getting appropriate help. My GP has tried to refer me to alternative services without luck. The only alternative would be to get support from the learning and disability service but I have been treated very badly by them and I am not able to even thinking about going back as its too upsetting. They also don’t have any psychiatric doctors. I just want a female psychiatric doctor.
We offer a service for mild to moderate conditions through Birmingham Healthy Minds - you or your GP can refer to this service. For more complex or longer term conditions we can take a referral from your GP to our Integrated Community Care and Recovery teams in the community. Having a learning disability should not be an issue but we may need to involve the specialist learning disability team, provided by another NHS Trust in Birmingham. Our Customer Relations team on 0800 953 0045 can take further details from you and investigate this on your behalf. They can liaise with the teams and try to offer a female psychiatrist if appropriate.
Sometimes the treatment is working and sometimes it is not. I am seeking treatment, however, I feel if I had more support it would help.
Please contact our Customer Relations team on 0800 953 0045 so that we can discuss the type of support that you would like. Sometimes support needs can be met by our partner agencies. We work closely with local carer support, advice agencies, activity groups, sports groups, advocacy agencies and many more. We also operate a Recovery College with many helpful courses which are co-designed with those who have been through similar experiences.