Hey everyone, thanks again for the lovely welcomes! As I hinted in my intro, I've hit a bit of a wall with the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and could really use some collective wisdom.
To recap: I was referred to the CMHT for mental health support. My autism and selective mutism mean I really struggle with face-to-face appointments (especially in busy city environments) and having strangers in my safe home space. I explained this, and they offered a few options, but none that truly accommodate my communication needs.
My preference, as highlighted in my autism diagnosis report, is to communicate via text/email. It's the only way I can really process and express myself without becoming overwhelmed and non-verbal.
Their latest response, however, was pretty disheartening. They said they couldn't offer an initial assessment with "written communication only." They reiterated their standard options (F2F, video call, phone) and basically said if I can't commit to those, they can't proceed. They did mention discussing whether a "service specific to ASD support" would be better placed for me.
Honestly, I feel quite upset and like I'm being pushed away from mainstream mental health support, despite my genuine need for help. It feels like they're trying to shunt me to a specialist service, which might not even offer the crisis support or other interventions I might need, rather than making reasonable adjustments themselves.
I've just sent them a detailed email, referencing my autism diagnosis report (which explicitly recommends text/email communication) and even the NHS England guidance (B1800) that states mainstream services should be accessible to autistic adults and offer text/email options for contact. I also copied PALS.
Now I'm left wondering: Am I being unreasonable here? Should I just try to force myself into one of their standard options, even though I know it will be incredibly distressing and likely unproductive? Or should I continue pushing for text-only communication, given that it's clearly stated as a necessary accommodation in my diagnosis and in NHS guidance?
Has anyone else faced this kind of pushback from mainstream mental health services? Any advice on how to navigate this, or what to expect next? I'm trying not to give up, but this is really draining.
Thanks for listening!
Oh and please feel free to tell me if I am being unreasonable here, I value your opinion on this, all love and respect!
TheQuietOak
