"Mental Health Services at Ballyfermot Primary Care Centre"

Got referred from CAMHS. I have one appointment with them ever 4-6 months. Only treatment offered at the moment is medication, which I understand because the waiting list is really long. Got started with a new antidepressant because the old one wasn’t working. 

Turns out (according to the HSE website and my university caseworker) you’re supposed to have a review of the medication after one week of starting it, if you’re at risk for suicide, which I am. But like I said, my two appointments were five months apart. I’ve been taking it for two months now and the medication isn’t helping and is giving me frequent headaches. 

I wish they were a little more engaged and understanding. I see a different person every time I’m there and I never feel very listened to or understood. The receptionist is nicer and more welcoming than the staff I see. It feels a little redundant to be going to AMHS when I suppose I could just get medication from my GP. Like I said, waiting lists for other forms of treatment like therapy are very long, so I understand the delay. But it’s a bit discouraging.