Andy Horner, widely recognized online as “Anxious Andy,” has spent years navigating the complexities of mental health care. Despite his ongoing efforts to secure effective treatment, the 48-year-old Shepley resident faces a prolonged wait for the specialized therapy he desperately needs.
Prolonged Wait for Essential Therapy
Andy has been a patient at Folly Hall Mills in Huddersfield for years, managing his Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) with the help of available treatments. Recently, he was recommended Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), a crucial component for managing his condition. However, despite being on the waiting list for over a year, he is still uncertain when he will begin. “The waiting period is agonizing,” Andy laments. “It’s not just about the availability of therapy; it’s also about readiness and the ability to commit, which is difficult to balance with my job.”
The Impact of Delays
The delay in receiving DBT has had severe consequences for Andy. He has experienced multiple overdoses and suicide attempts, frequently ending up in the emergency department. Even when he contacts the crisis team during these desperate times, he is often advised to go to A&E, a daunting task while battling suicidal thoughts. “I feel abandoned,” Andy says. “The system keeps telling me I need therapy, but due to various cuts and issues, it’s out of reach.”
Strain on Emergency Services
Andy’s recurring crises highlight the strain on emergency services. Each time he seeks help, it involves ambulance trips and emergency room visits, consuming valuable resources. “Every call to the crisis team ends with an ambulance ride to A&E,” Andy notes. “This cycle is draining the system’s resources and doesn’t address the root of the problem.”
Advocacy for Systemic Change
Andy believes that systemic changes are necessary to address these issues effectively. He advocates for policies that would require employers to support employees with severe mental health conditions, allowing them to attend therapy without risking their jobs. “There needs to be a safety net for people like me,” Andy argues. “Without it, we’re left to navigate this broken system, becoming repeat users of emergency services.”
Traumatic Experience with Sectioning
A particularly traumatic incident in Andy’s journey was when he was sectioned. During a severe mental health crisis, the police broke down his door and initially placed him in a police cell instead of a mental health suite. “It was a terrifying experience,” Andy recalls. “The suite I was later moved to was in terrible condition, worsening my mental health. The whole process was dehumanizing.”
Support Through Social Media
Amid these challenges, Andy has found an unexpected lifeline in social media. With 1.2 million followers on his “Anxious Andy” Facebook page, he shares his struggles and finds solace in the support from his online community. “Social media has been a crucial outlet for me,” Andy shares. “Talking to strangers who aren’t emotionally involved provides a unique form of support that has kept me going.”
Calls for Compassionate Care
Andy’s story calls attention to the critical need for compassionate and timely mental health care. While the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust emphasizes its commitment to supporting patients, Andy’s experience highlights significant gaps between policy and practice. “There’s a disconnect,” Andy explains. “The system needs to bridge this gap to provide real, timely support.”
Continuing the Fight
Despite the ongoing challenges, Andy remains determined. His use of social media to advocate for himself and others in similar situations is a testament to his resilience. As he waits for the therapy he needs, Andy continues to raise awareness and push for systemic improvements in mental health care.
Andy’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of accessible, effective mental health support. His story is not just about the struggle but also about the determination to seek help and advocate for change.