I have been a sufferer of OCD for a long time and it is ongoing. Over the past 2 years I have spent time figuring out what I need as support. When I asked for help from my local community mental health team, they rejected me. I was told that I would have to be out of private therapy for 6 months before the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) could help me and provide a support worker. I was struggling massively with my mental health, and there was no way I could be out of therapy for six months. Therapy was the thing keeping me afloat, and taking that away would have led me to deteriorate. I reached out to the CMHT for assistance because I knew it would have helped me, but they refused me because I was getting support privately. Private therapy provides vital support whilst on extensive waiting lists. 

Months down the line, after being refused funding from the NHS for specialist treatment and instead being referred back to CMHT, I was rejected again. This time because I am accessing Talking Therapies (NHS). This makes no sense. The CMHT and Talking Therapies provide different kinds of support. I am also still in assessment phase and not guaranteed the treatment I know I need. 
Why can't the CMHT and Talking Therapies services work together to maximise support? 

The policies requiring individuals to be out of therapy for an extended period before accessing CMHT services imposes an unnecessary barrier to mental health care. It is a policy that doesn't take individual needs and circumstances into account, creating a vicious cycle where those in urgent need, like myself, are unable to receive comprehensive support when they need it the most.

Mental health does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Individuals who are already in therapy with private practitioners are doing so to maintain their mental well-being. Forcing them to abandon ongoing treatment to receive community support is counterproductive and potentially harmful.

The aim of this petition is to address this outdated policies and propose a change that allows individuals to access CMHT services concurrently with private therapy. This change would encourage collaboration between the private and public mental health sectors, ensuring seamless and effective care for individuals without causing interruptions in their treatment. 

According to the Mental Health Foundation, almost half of adults believe that a person struggling with mental health should receive professional help to match their unique needs, irrespective of their current therapy engagements. With such consensus, it is imperative that the policy aligns with public opinion and clinical wisdom.

The change we are advocating is realistic and actionable: Allow individuals to access community mental health services even if they are currently receiving private therapy. This will provide them with the best possible care and support network, ensuring that they are not left without help at times of crisis.

Sign this petition to urge policymakers to revise the current policy. Stand with those who need support and contribute to a system that truly aids in mental rehabilitation and stability. Your signature can be a step towards a more compassionate mental health system.