A Good GP is an Essential Soldier in the Fight for Good Mental Health

Mental health issues affect 1 in 4 people at some point in their lives.  Many people sweep these problems under the carpet, which of course only leads to these problems getting bigger. But ask any knowledgeable person what your first step should be, and if they’re anything like well-informed, they’ll tell you your GP is your first port of call.

When I first tried to address these issues – 2013 if I recall – I anonymously asked someone- some American Mental Health expert, although I can’t remember the details- over Twitter. They suggested I see my GP. I booked an appointment with him – we’ll call him Dr W1 – who told me there weren’t really any services that dealt with depression.

Obviously, this was bullshit.

I then strayed into The Samaritans office on Oxford Rd. They suggested the GP. I told them I’d tried, and recounted the above. They suggested I ask for a different GP. They should be forwarding me to someone.

I asked the GP receptionist if I could get a second opinion. They offered a slot with Dr W2, who I think I’d had some appointments with before.

I met with Dr W2. His response was a little different. ‘There are services available in Mental Health,’ he explained. ‘Mental Health covers things like depression. Being under this field doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dangerous, or anything like that. It’s an umbrella term for a lot of issues. Now, there is a wait list, and you’ll be waiting around 7 months, but we should be able to put you with someone eventually.’

I figured, 7 months is better than never, like Dr W1 had suggested. And, as promised, 7 months down the line I was meeting with a woman in some obscure office in the backstreets of Oldham, addressing my problems.

I’d spent years trying to get through to Dr W1, with no success. I didn’t know the term ‘gaslighting’ at the time, but in retrospect, that’s what he was doing – downplaying my problems and almost treating me like I shouldn’t have been taking up his time.

I’ve had many meetings with Dr W2, getting good, solid advice on things like mental health medication, assistance with issues like ATOS, HMRC and suchlike, and finding specialists to help. It's a shame that you can go to 2 people, who do the exact same job, and 1 will help you and the other won't. But this is the NHS. 

I’m now at a point where I’m reaching the end of that journey, and am ready to come off medication. 

Coincidentally another strand in my mental health story is ending. This week, I got a text from the surgery. Dr W2 is retiring next month. It’ll be a shame to see him go. Dr W1 hasn’t worked there for a long time, it seems, and I don’t recognise any of the other doctors’ names. I guess I’ll take my chances next time I meet with any of them.