First and foremost this petition is for me but it's also for those that don't have a voice or are too ill to be heard.

As a health care professional myself I understand that there are massive pressures in the NHS, but I had no idea at how bad it was in some areas until I needed the institution I've worked in since 1997 to help me.

When I 1st raised the issue of referral to a specialist clinic I was actually asked by a member of the Mental Health duty team if I thought I was more important than anyone else!!! No, but I am to me, and this fight is to include everybody else as well.

Since January 2015 I've gone from happy, bubbly and pretty successful to an anxious, homeless, unemployed self harmer. I want to get better. I want to get back to work. I want to be a functioning member of society. I want to stop cutting and get off the 10 tablets a day that I'm currently taking. Finally, I believe I'm worth saving and I will get the treatment I so desperately need.

There is an amazing clinic, specifically for treating those who self harm, at The Maudsley (NHS run and accepts referrals from all over the country as they are a centre of excellence) which is just what I need and having spoken to the Consultant Nurse there I would be an ideal candidate for successful treatment. They have an 80% success rate and would be able to see me on their next assessment day for new patients which is held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month.

The problem is money.

My CCG have declined funding as I haven't used all the options available in West Kent. I would gladly use all they have to offer but the waiting list for the treatment they want me to have is 9-12 months, for me the earliest is Christmas, so I'm left trying to cope alone until then. And no, they can't (or won't) bring me forward on the list.

So short sighted.

I've already cost the NHS £1000's through GP appointments, blood tests, prescriptions and A+E assessments. I also was sick on full pay while trying to get back to work but the treatment wasn't available and in the end I felt my only option was to resign.

This is about so much more than the scars and bruises on my body.

Without treatment the harming is getting worse so not only will those costs rise but the length of treatment I need will probably increase. So many people that need care have paid into the system that is now failing them.

I don't expect this to be a miracle and suddenly be invited to attend for assessment at The Maudsley but we need to be talking about Mental Health and figure a way to provide treatment in the early stages rather than when the problem has escalated and treatment will be potentially longer and therefore more expensive.

I am blessed to have some amazing friends around me who have decided to try and raise the money to fund private treatment and get me back healthy and happy again https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/help-cassie?utm_id=1&utm_term=KAXGENGxz

Please even if this is a petition you choose not to sign, share it for others and let's try and make talking about mental health as 'normal' as talking about a broken bone x