Psychological and counselling support

[Never-give-up22]

My family has just had a very impactful experience, my son who is 22, had open heart surgery twice in the same month and we nearly lost him the second time around. He was in the hospital for 9 weeks all in total, but within that 9 weeks what he went through and what he saw day in day out, was patients being resuscitated and patients dying. I tried to get my son psychological care or counselling with in the hospital but was told there was nothing.

I'm asking why there is no psychological or counselling support offered either by yourself or in the hospitals ?

[10gingercats]

you can self refer to Talking Space. This is the NHS dept. for psychological/mental health but deals with depression and other related issues. There are long waiting lists but if you explain your sons situation you may be in with a good chance of seeing someone sooner rather than later. Try 01865 9 01 222. That is the oxford branch but they will tell you whom to contact in your area.

[Hidden]

Hello

I read your post and it made me shudder for you and your Son

This must have been a very difficult time for you as well and I am pleased your Son is physically doing better now even though mentally he is struggling and reading what he went through and what he saw I am not surprised

A few Hospitals but I think they are a few have Counselling in Hospitals but not many and I believe in a perfect world they should and why don't they , I think there is a lack of funding a lack of Counselors or psychologists are two main reasons

But your Son needs that help he is young and if he gets that help now then he will no doubt be able to leave this in the past but he does need it now and not later

You can ask your Doctor to get him on the waiting lists but they can be a wait or and if you could he could go private even though I appreciate this is not always an option for everyone as it can be quite expensive

I feel your frustration I am struggling to get the support I need to but use that frustration to get heard how important it is your Son gets help and keep going till you get heard

Please let us know if you have time how you get on x

[Anon2023]

Hi. I read your post and really felt for you and your son. My son is also 22 and it must have been absolutely awful for you all. Like your son, I had two open heart surgeries within a short period of time and I spent months in hospital. It was incredibly traumatic and there was no formal psychological support available in hospital. I nearly didn’t make it either. I was referred to psychology after I was discharged and started counselling a few months later. I’m also on meds for anxiety and depression. I think in hospital they are so focused upon physical health and your mental health is often overlooked. I know it’s difficult with a 22 year old to get them to seek help but I would keep trying to encourage your son to go to the gp and ask for a referral to psychology. Also see if he is willing to consider medication. Medication won’t solve the problems he is facing but it might help him feel well enough to engage in therapy and get some respite from anxiety. I wish you all the best and hope things improve for you and your family. X

[Hidden]

Try

nhs.uk/service-search/menta...

and perhaps

mind.org.uk/