There are some in Brevard County that are concerned about the lack of availability and overall care for those suffering from mental health diagnoses’.
Denise M, 33, a resident of Satellite Beach FL has been struggling to receive aid for the mental health issues she experiences. Diagnosed with PTSD from long-term domestic violence she endured gives her constant anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. She makes a living as a waitress at a local eatery and basically lives off of minimum wage. Being a single mother of a 9-year-old restricts her from working many hours or being flexible. She shared her experience and concerns:
“The clinics that let you pay on a sliding scale don’t offer me the amount of help I need. They also do not give me prescriptions that have worked for me in the past because the company won't permit the use of certain prescriptions. I don’t know how having a “cookie-cutter mold” helps an individual by their unique case.”
Denise also mentioned she had to wait a month when she sought out treatment for her PTSD. That was the earliest availability after calling 5 separate places. 3 practices and/or clinics stated that they were full.
“I realized I couldn't keep doing it all on my own. I was overwhelmed. But in looking for help I felt worse afterward. Either the doctor was full, you needed to pay an obscene amount to be seen, or had to wait months. When I finally found a place, the therapist told me she see me every six weeks because of the increasing number of patients. For what I deal with daily, every six weeks is not enough.”
Has anyone else experienced trouble in seeking help or is concerned with the treatment they receive? Please comment below, I plan on looking into this further. If it's an emergency please call 911 or go to your local emergency room.
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