thanks TOM-RO yes, my daughter is seeing the whole cast... GP, Psychologist, Psychiatrists and has just begun taking anti - depressants. I just want to be able to assist my daughter in making friends, as I am sure this is a large part of the issue. I am going to try to get in touch with headspace, I am hoping they have clubs for kids with the same issues? ... View more

When we left the hospital after my daughters suicide attempt, we were told by the hospital staff to see our family GP.  Operating on autopilot in shock and terror we did, the GP referred us to a psychiatrist $475.00 who referred us to a couple of psychologist - after being on the waiting list for a couple of weeks we booked an appoint with the psychologist $ 260.00.  When I booked the appointment with the Psychologist I was informed about Mental Health Plans.  So. I booked another appointment with the GP who would not give me a Mental Health Plan as I had attended without my daughter. (wasted visit) and was advise that the Psychiatrist should have done the MHP as she was the one who arranged the referral to the psychologist.  So the last 7 visits with the Psychologist I have paid without a MHP $200.00. I took my daughter back to the Psychiatrist $ 400.00 last week to discuss medication as well as the weekly visits with the Psychologist.  The Psychiatrist advised me thru during this visit that because the referral was by a Psychiatrist that the MHP is automatic, but not all Psychologist or even Medicare staff would know this. BUT..... I am going to take my daughter to the family GP to arrange repeat prescription for my daughter new medication.... Hopefully she will write a MHP then, though I am sure I will have to make two appointments, one for the MHP and one for the Prescription.  I say this because,when my daughter had blood test and we went to get the results the GP would not do the MHP at the same time.  I have been informed that the GP's fee for the MHP is $200.00, I hope I can talk her into just charging me for a consultation as well.  All the running around is stressful............   hope my saga of a tale was not too long ... View more

Hello Motherbear (such a great Call Sign by the way) Its all a learning curve, which is why this forum is so great (my first forum).  Apparently when we were discharged from the hospital we should have been referred to places like "CAMHS".  Instead we were just told to go see our family GP.  I have since heard of CAMHS when discussing my difficulties with the High School Student Services Manager... I was in great distress and was talking to him on the phone as I could not get my daughter to attend school.  The Student Services Manager thankfully recognized my distress and had the School Physiologist refer me to CAMHS..  We parents need support too! ... View more

Hello Beingme2017 A Merry Christmas to you and your family as well. No I did not hear back from my email complaint, but my daughter is slowly, slowly feeling more comfortable with the psychologist so I will let sleeping dogs lay ... View more

Thanks Taokat for your kind words and sharing your daughters hardships with me. My daughter is on day 3 of her medication and there are no side effect apparent at this stage.  We went Christmas shopping today and whilst she was anxious in the car, she did very well at the shops.  I told her this was the best way to handle her anxiety, to do what we planned to do and not let it control her.  Luckily she was calm enough to comprehend this. I also agree with you that it is best I do not dwell on the past, how I could have acted sooner,  I have to remain strong for my daughter and husband.    ... View more

Thanks Taokat for your reply. Can I ask is your daughter still on medication? Or were they only necessary to help for a period of time? I have spoken to my daughter's psychiatrist about the medication, i just worry that drugs are prescribed so easily for children. True be told, I just don't know what else to do. Hopefully with the mediation and ongoing weekly psychologist visit life will improve ... View more

Thanks Nick-Ro for making the edits so I comply with the guidelines. This is my first chat forum. Yes your right in saying I am concerned about not picking up the serious of my daughter's situation, that it took a trip in an ambulance to the hospital for me to take action. Some times I think that I have not analyzed my feeling about this. That I would make myself physically sick if I did. Logically I know that there is no point in doing this. ... View more