Mental health crisis: 'I've nearly died four times - but no one has helped me'
Nine young people have died in mental health units since 2010
By 19 APRIL 2016
“I’ve nearly died three or four times,” says Cristina, 23. “From overdosing to trying to commit suicide to self-harm. No one's helped me. I’ve been on a waiting list for therapy for eight months. All the GP can do is prescribe medication but it makes me worse – I don’t want to take it.
“I’ve tried to call my care worker a number of times but they tell me I have to wait. The only support I can access is from the crisis helpline, but by then I’m already thinking about killing myself. I’ve realised you have to help yourself because no one else will help you. It’s a waiting game.”
Cristina has mental health problems, but was only diagnosed last year with borderline personality disorder, anxiety and impulsiveness.
She grew up in south London , the daughter of an Italian Catholic mother and Turkish Muslim father. Her parents fought regularly and would often beat Cristina. At one point she ran away from home, but ended up living back with her abusive father.
“I began smoking and drinking as a child. I was nine when I started because I saw my dad doing it. He told me off then gave it to me. At 15, I turned to cannabis and coke. I had so much in my head - so much pain I wanted to get rid of. My teachers knew I had problems, but no one did anything to help me.”
Cristina turned to drugs and crime, before eventually leaving her dad’s house at the age of 22. She moved in with a boyfriend – but he was also abusive. After a physical argument, she was taken by police to a women’s refuge.
That was when she started to turn her life around. “If it wasn’t for the refuge I wouldn’t be the way I am now – I might not be here. I’ve stopped drinking and want to do a course on drug and alcohol awareness. I’ve been living in a hostel for eight months, and feel much more stable. But I’m still fighting to get help.
“I just want therapy, but I’m still on a waiting list. The only option is to go to a crisis inpatient centre but it’s like being in a mental institution. All I want is someone to talk to – a consultant or therapist.”
Cristina is still struggling with her mental health problems and is desperate for help – but she’s one of the lucky ones. Her suicide attempts didn't end in her death. She has managed to pull herself back from the brink.
But not every young person struggling with mental health problems can do this. Statistics show that girls aged 15-19 are the demographic most likely to attempt suicide worldwide. While, last week - and ahead of Depression Awareness Week (April 18-24) - new figures showed that nine young people have died while being treated in mental health units in England since 2010.
“These figures are really troubling and it’s really worrying the Government doesn’t know exactly how many children have died in mental health units,” says Katharine Sacks-Jones, director of women and girls' charity Agenda. “The problem we see is that, often, young people and girls can’t access support until crisis point.”
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