"No psychological services"

Over the past four years I have spent numerous times in hospital as I have Cystic Fibrosis. I have also experienced oesophageal cancer, bilateral fractured wrists (3 x operations), fractured patella, severe shingles and NTM.

Obviously this caused me significant mental health issues including a severe panic attack whilst in hospital one admission. Except for an acute psych visit on this occasion, I have not received any other care mentally and I really struggled. Obviously, with all these medical issues I could have used some help and lacked mental health support services. I was unable to pay for private mental health, even with a MH care plan as the difference way way too much as I had to give up work. Even when I had to pay for a couple of sessions, I was on a wait list for 4 months, the $ different was expensive and I didn’t really connect with this psychologist as she had no experience in CF. 

Even though we are supported with physio, pharmacy, dietetics, nursing and doctors etc, we have no psychology/mental health support. It’s important to note that CF doesn’t only affect us physically but mentally particularly now if access to Trikafta (which as I understand it, has seriously effected some pwcf). 

When I investigated some psychological assistance I was informed there is a Social Worker whom I have never seen or accessed. I feel this is not good enough that we have no psychological or mental health support! 

Please understand that in my opinion, we need psychological/mental health support. CF not only affects us physically but mentally. CF is a complex and difficult disease and we cannot be denied psychological support. 🌹