Mum waits for help two years after awful loss
A mum whose partner took his own life after being unable to access mental health services has told how she’s been stuck on a waiting list for two years after seeking help over her loss.
Karen McKeown has been campaigning for action since partner Luke died on December 29, 2017, after he repeatedly requested help from the NHS.
Yesterday the mum of two told how she herself had been trying to access therapy, only for it to be delayed.
In a letter Karen posted on social media yesterday, the Motherwell psychological therapies team said they were “unable to allocate therapy appointments as soon as we were hoping to”. And Karen, of Wishaw, said: “Still on the waiting list and this is what you call a fitfor-purpose mental health services. They failed Luke and still failing our family.”
The Scottish Government last night responded: “The mental health minister has contacted the health board to ask them to investigate the delay to support. Excessively long waits for services are not acceptable and that’s why we’ve committed an extra £250 million to improve mental health services.”
Margot McLean, NHS Lanarkshire service manager, said: “We are currently experiencing a high level of demand and patients are being prioritised on a clinical basis. We would encourage Ms McKeown to contact us directly or speak with her GP, who will contact our psychological therapies team on her behalf.”
Reach the Samaritans on 116 123 or via samaritans.org