Falling through the Mental Health System: My experience with asking for help

Before I get into the post, I would like to tell you positive experiences with mental health professionals.
I was admitted into hospital when I was really struggling with my mental health but then discharged the next day.
It really depends on how safe you are at home and what help is available in the community.

I was first diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder back in 2013, after suffering in silence for 9 years. I didn't realise what made my heart beat fast, my hands go numb and cold and my head fill with negative thoughts.
I went to my safeguarding officer at college, the day after I attempted suicide for the first time ever. I didn't know what to expect, but quickly she noticed that I wasn't right and offered to chat to me after college. I went upstairs to my class and 15 minutes later I was in tears, panicking about speaking to her, which was strange but again I didn't know if she was gonna call the crisis team in and get me sectioned then and there. It was a weird day.
After college, I went back down and spoke to her. She was really surprised that I had suffered with depression for 9 years in silence, as I was going for the role of President of the Student Union. She called my Mum and Step-Dad in to talk to them about supporting me at home too. 
I was very impressed with how my safeguarding officer handled it, she was in shock but she handled it well.
Next step was to get counselling and medication. This is where my panic attacks got worse, I would experience them daily, 5 times at least a day. I asked my Nan to come with me to my first appointment to tell my doctor about what I had been experiencing. He was helpful at the start but then referred me to the same place who decided I was "too dangerous" for them. I felt like I was being medicated and forgotten.
I then got an emergency appointment with a different doctor, and he was very surprised that I had survived all them months without support. He took me under his wing and I saw him every week, every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks, every 2 months, then signed me off when I was safe enough. I still see him and I'm in contact with him all the time.
He referred me to the local mental heath team and my psychiatrist has really helped me. The last appointment was helpful, so I felt listened to, finally..

Things that didn't work for me: (it may work for you)

CBT 
Propanalol
Citalopram
Mirtazapine
Fluorextine 
Quetiapine

Things that did work:
Counselling
Medication
Mindfullness 
Head Space app (definitely download this!!)








Just because some things didn't work for me, it doesn't mean that it won't work for you, you never know until you tried it.