advice please?

Question:

a good friend of mine has been self harming for years and has recently plucked up the courage to go to a nhs psychologist for support and conselling. However my friend was told there are no appointments for 2 months and the psychologist is 'happy with him doing it as he uses sterile blades' and came out more depressed than he came in! is there any advice you can give me that might help him..going private is not an option..thanks guys!

Answers:
Many people self-harm at some point in their lives, normally as a result of depression or mental trauma. This is a way of "letting the pain out" nothing like a suicide attempt. So the psychologist is kind of right, your friend's life is not currently threatened.

I worked in an NHS adult psychology department, and we were told to tell new referrals that the first appointment would be in 2 months, when normally they would be seen in a month or six weeks.

Don't let your friend miss his appointments, as he won't get any more if he does. Just be supportive, let him know that you care and will help him through this hard patch that won't last forever (even though it may feel like it right now) and don't worry too much about the self-harming. Unless a wound gets infected it isn't life-threatening and will probably inhibit a suicide attempt.

Other Answers:
get them to go somewhere else, and report the other for his "unethical support"

Can't really help.He is lucky to have a good friend like you.Just be there for him.Good luck! I don't know what nhs stands for, but I would obtain the name and, if possible, practicing id number and contact your local health department and explain your concerns. It is VERY common for their to be long waits for the initial appt, and I would encourage your friend to make that appt. However if things get desperate in the meantime I would get him to the local ER. There are often free or reduced psychiatric treatment at public health agencies (again talk to your local health department or contact the crisis line).

I can see how one would think the statement that he was pleased the indiivudal was at least using stereile blades, however it does not seem appropriate to encourage the behavior-which it sounds like your friend interpreted it as.

Good luck.

could he find another psychologist? This one sounds a bit of a nutter and i dont fancy taking his advice! I'm so sorry for your friend and i hope he gets the help he's looking for. Is this Psychologist real ,?and telling your friend he pleased with him when he uses clean blades ,you need to get help from some where else for your friend and quickly. Good luck

Coming from a mother who is a Mental Health Professional my enter life. I feel for your friend. i know many mental health centers that have a thing called a "sliding scale". I know I used to make 7.00 an hour and I only had to pay like 5.00 per session. Maybe call around for your friend and see if there is any mental health facilities that have sliding scales. Also, you could call United Way I used them once too. Isn't it funny that I was raised by a mental health pro and I have been to more therapist than gotten hair cuts in my life.

I will pray for your friend.

take the shrink to a tribunal for misconduct and then private will be a possibility cos the nhs will have to pay plenty of compensation if you have the evidence to back it up eg a tape recording of meeting or some sort of written opinion then sue his *** from under him
serious misconduct

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advice please?

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