A family member of mine recently suffered a breakdown in their mental health, and turned to their GP in crisis.  They did not recognise at the time that the problem was mental health in nature, but knowing something was wrong and suffering from some severe symptoms including some physical in their manifestation, accessed the GP on a number of occasions wanting help.  She was given a number, and was turned away, resulting in her calling an ambulance in desperation. She was sent back to the GP by ambulance crew's, at which point the GP told her "we cannot help you anymore ". 

This left a mentally unwell individual with no where left to turn. Luckily I am a nurse working in mental health.  I recognised the symptoms of severe depression and psychosis, and was fortunate enough to be able to take her to live with me and access mental health care in a different county when all her GO would do when I reported she needed round the clock care was refer to community services on a 3 week referral time.

Covid has created a new situation that has impacted largely on individuals mental health, people have lost jobs, routines, and social support networks.  The impact is severe, with increased suicides, and individuals who have never experienced mental health problems knowing that they have a problem but not fully indentifying what this is. 

They will turn to their GP in their time of crisis, and being told "we can no longer help you" will leave many with no where else to turn. 

I am asking for better mental health training for GPs so they can recognise more readily the signs of mental health deterioration and know where to get help for their patients. I am also asking for it to be easier for family members to refer to mental health services for an unwell family member, which I could do easily in Nottinghamshire but not in Warwickshire.  

Please sign as you never know when it will be yourself or your family/friends that need help.