The mental health agency just called me back.  I was so happy, it just took a few hours, not a few days.

She told me I would have to come in for an assessment before I could actually see a therapist.  That's fine, it makes sense to me.

She told me they are a little backed up with appointments for assessments.  So I'm thinking, great, it'll be a few weeks or something before I can see anyone.

Then she tells me, the next available appointment is, get this...DECEMBER 27.  Seriously.

So I asked her what I should do until then.  She said she didn't know what to tell me, except to go to the ER  if I had an emergency.

She did say she'd put me on the cancellation list, but the list is pretty long.

I don't know what to do at this point.

 Can your PCP call for you? My boyfriend has diabetes and our PCP wanted him to go to Joslin in Boston and he called on his own and it was a 9 month wait! He told our PCP and she said let me try and she called and got him an appointment in  6 weeks.. maybe if a doctor calls in they can put a rush on it? 

Sorry that's all I got.. I know how frustrating it is to get appointments some times.  Hope you're feeling better.

Is the person who does the assesments only working 1 day a week?  Or is this place that good that they are that busy?

That is a long time to wait.

Sarah

December 27th is the earliest for a mental health assessment??  Holy cow!  The whole town must go there.  And I'm sure the cancellation list is long if they are scheduling December appointments in June.  Lord have mercy. 

I am so sorry.  I wish I had more to offer than my complete amazement at the timeline and my sympathy.  It kills me to know that when someone is reaching out for the help they need they can't get it. 

Hugs.  I hope something gives for you. 

Can your psychiatrist call for you to see if you can get in sooner? That is horrible to have someone wait that long just to be assesed. Can you get referrals from your insuance?

Unbelieveable! I'm totally flabbergasted!

That's just unfathomable to me that they expect a mental health patient to wait that long just to be assessed!   I'd check with your insurance co for names, or have your pcp or psychiatrist office call to have you seen sooner.   My personal opinion, for what it's worth :), is that you need to be seen much sooner with the depression problems you have had.
Lizzy

I called 3 weeks ago to get in to see a new therapist.  Fortunately, they could get me in the following week.  The day of the appointment, the office called and cancelled.  I rescheduled for the following week.  Same thing.  Interestingly enough, if *I* had to cancel, and did not do it a day in advance by NOON, I'd be charged $60.  I think they owe ME $60!

I have had such BAD luck with mental health systems in the past few years!  Mostly due to things such as your issue; taking forever to get in to be seen.  The only way to get in sooner was to be in  crisis and pretty much suicidal and get 5150'd.  It is very unfortunate.  I feel badly for all the people out there who do not know how to stand up for their rights and just be pains in the butts until they are heard.

I forget where you live but this is the case in Iowa.  Mental health services are severely lacking in rural areas and well overbooked in urban areas.

I just started seeing my T again and it wa 6 weeks till her 1st opening, she wanted to see me after that in 2 weeks and I had to schedule into August.

Can you go back to your previous T?  Either get a referral or use any visits you already have scheduled?  Tell her how offended you were about her previous statements.  Heck, Use her until you get into another T.

Try calling other places- 6 mos is too long a wait.  I have to Drive 45 min to see my T but I'm thinking it's going to be worth it.

Hang in there

Pup.

 Dec..really? omg. I know gas is high now but could you travel a little further out to find someplace? So that you can be seen and be able to talk to someone?

I am so sorry that you are havig such a hard time finding someone.