Mental health
Hi, my background is I'm severe copd emphysema stage 4 @15% lung function, I been hospitalized 24 times since my first diagnosis back in 2004, I suffer 4 trips to icu with respiratory failure requiring incubation, the last time almost 4 wks ago due to a toxicity reaction to my Theophylline medication requiring dialysis for 3 day's, I've pretty much been through the mill in every way, I lost me ability to work, my marriage fell apart, suffered an emotional breakdown requiring psychiatric intervention.
I've spent the last 5 years fighting to maintain a semblance of independence, up until the 18th Nov I was attending the gym everyday for 2 hours 7days a week. Also exercising at home, I was feeling pretty good. Following the event on the 18th I lost 6 kilos, most of my muscle mass & now struggle to walk 50meters. I've always suffered depression as a result of the death of my mother when I was 5 & been ostracized by my family as a result, I'm the youngest of 6, I also suffer from anxiety normally controlled by diazepam, depression medication is citalopram, with all these ongoing setbacks throughout my life I asked my Dr for a referral to mental health counselling, I found this to be very beneficial, as I'm only on a disability benefit, I approached the government agency here (Winz) to get extra assistance as could only have 4 free sessions, with supporting letters from doctors and counsellor I was informed I didn't qualify for assistance, wow I was gob smacked.
How do you qualify for mental health assistance, maybe the odd suicide attempt might help, it seem ludicrous the someone such as myself living on the borders of sanity should need to qualify. I'll be taking this matter up with my respiratory team, GP & counsellor. Sometimes I think the people who front these agencies are programmed robots. Hopefully I'll get the help I think I desperately need.
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