Alex Kensit, who lives with autism, claims he was left waiting six weeks for a psychiatrist after experiencing suicidal thoughts, and that a mental health team member had asked if he was 'on medication for austim'
An Essex man, living with autism, has slammed the response from a mental health team, claiming he was left "feeling even more hopeless". Alex Kensit says he was hospitalised due to suicidal thoughts, but claims while receiving the care he received for his mental health he was asked if he was "on medication for autism", despite autism not being medicated.
The 19-year-old from Brentwood says he has a history of experiencing suicidal thoughts, along with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, (PTSD) which he's struggled with since the age of 14. In February this year, he says he went to his GP with a low mood, but claims he was offered more medication and CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), which Mr Kensit says is not suitable for autistic people.
He claims after his hospitalisation he was left waiting for a psychiatrist for six weeks, despite him being in what he considered an emergency situation. Mr Kensit said he has known people who took their own lives while waiting for treatment and therapy. He said he felt that some staff within the service are "ignorant" of people's needs.
The Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (EPUT) has apologised for Mr Kensit's experience and has said it will look to take "rapid action" to address his concerns. The Basildon and Brentwood Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the group that commissioned Mr Kensit's care, have also confirmed they are investigating his complaint.
Mr Kensit said: "When I had the therapy, it was only 30 minutes once a week, for six weeks, on the phone contracted to a private company. It felt very impersonal, at the start of every call they would confirm my name, address, date of birth and I was expected to use 'self help' techniques, despite being so low some days I couldn't even get out of bed.
"The therapist then forgot a session, then got Covid, then forgot to book another session, then I started a full time job so I could not attend these. I was invited to take part in a series of 'coping skills' sessions with the autistic team, but these too were online, and everyone barring the people running it had their webcams turned off so we couldn't see or talk to each other.
"They were also in work hours so once again unsuitable. Despite a record of my medical history the doctors failed to ask me routinely how I was when I went to other appointments. They would not offer me anything else without going through the CBT.”
"Things got worse and I had to go to the hospital after feeling suicidal. After waiting several hours and seeing a mental health nurse, I was assured I would be seen quickly.
"I was discharged but left waiting days for someone to be in touch, allegedly from the "fast" response team. Turns out they made a mistake and I wasn't supposed to see them as I was already a patient. After finally getting to the bottom of this I found out I would have a six week wait to see a psychiatrist."
Mr Kensit said he feels people in his situation should be able to access quick help in emergency situations for their mental health, with the waiting times potentially a danger to people's wellbeing. He added: "This whole experience has made me feel even more hopeless and when you go to hospital for emergency help you don't expect to be waiting six weeks. That can be the difference between life and death for many people.
"People I know of have taken their own life because they haven't been able to wait for help. The NHS and government claim they are supportive of mental health but they have an attitude that it is inferior to physical health problems. They are still using Covid as an excuse as to why they can't see patients.“
"The whole process had ignorant people in it. One of the people we spoke to asked if I was 'on medication for autism', despite autism not able to be medicated. I have a history of suicidal thoughts going back to the age of 14, along with a suicide attempt, treatment for PTSD, diagnosed depression anxiety and autism yet the NHS thought a basic CBT course would be suitable to my needs, which it wasn't."
Paul Scott, EPUT CEO said: “We are sorry to hear about this experience and extend our apologies and our commitment to take rapid action. We take complaints of this nature very seriously and the safe care of vulnerable patients is our top priority."
An NHS spokesperson said: “We are sorry to learn of this experience. We can confirm we have now received a formal complaint in writing. A full investigation will be carried out and will ensure any future learning is identified and actioned."
Credit Essex Live