For many people struggling with mental health issues, reaching out for support is already a difficult step. But what happens when the services that are supposed to help instead turn you away, claiming that you don’t fall within their remit?
From personal experience and from speaking with others in the Tewkesbury area, it seems that mental health services here are not as accessible or helpful as they should be. Instead of providing real support to those in crisis, too often, people are met with bureaucratic barriers, dismissive attitudes, and claims that their specific struggles don’t fit the service criteria.
“We Can’t Help You” – A Common Response
One of the most frustrating things I’ve encountered is the constant passing of responsibility between different services. If you’re struggling due to the stress of housing issues, noise complaints, or council disputes, mental health services seem to dismiss these as external factors rather than acknowledging their severe impact on mental well-being. Instead of offering help, they often say:
- “We can’t help with that—try Citizens Advice.”
- “That’s a housing issue, not a mental health issue.”
- “You don’t meet the criteria for our support.”
This creates a vicious cycle where people in distress are told that their suffering isn’t “severe enough” for mental health intervention, yet they are also given no practical solutions to the external problems contributing to their mental decline.
Nowhere to Turn After 5PM
One of the most alarming aspects of Tewkesbury’s mental health support is that there is nowhere to go for help after 5PM. If you are struggling in the evening or at night—when mental health crises often escalate—you are essentially left to fend for yourself.
Unlike larger cities, where 24-hour crisis services or drop-in mental health hubs exist, Tewkesbury lacks any form of after-hours support. If you are in distress, your only options are:
- Calling NHS 111 for advice (which often just directs you to A&E).
- Going to A&E, where long wait times and lack of mental health-specific care can make the situation worse.
- Calling Samaritans, which is a great resource, but not a substitute for professional intervention.
This means that if you’re struggling with a mental health crisis at night, over the weekend, or even after regular working hours, you are left without direct, local support.
Tewkesbury Hospital Lacks an A&E Department
To make matters worse, Tewkesbury Hospital does not have an A&E department. This means that if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs emergency care, they must travel to either Cheltenham General Hospital or Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester—which may not be feasible for many people.
For those without a car, financial resources, supportive friends or family, or access to reliable transport, this lack of local emergency services can make it nearly impossible to access urgent care. This leaves some of the most vulnerable people in situations where they simply cannot get the help they need when they need it most.
Who Does Qualify for Mental Health Support?
If you are experiencing severe distress but don’t fit into the strict, predefined categories of mental health services, you’re often left to fend for yourself. Many people report being turned away unless they are in immediate crisis, such as being actively suicidal or in need of hospitalization. Even then, waiting lists are long, crisis teams are overstretched, and actual interventions are limited.
This leaves people in a dangerous middle ground—not “unwell enough” for support but still struggling daily with anxiety, depression, trauma, or overwhelming stress. These issues may not always require hospitalization, but they do require early intervention to prevent deterioration.
Systemic Failures in Support Services
Tewkesbury’s mental health services appear to function as a tick-box exercise rather than a genuine support network. Instead of tailoring services to fit the needs of the community, they seem to focus more on excluding people based on technicalities.
Key issues include:
- Lack of preventative care – People are only helped when they hit rock bottom rather than being supported before reaching crisis point.
- Rigid criteria for support – Many individuals experiencing severe distress are told they don’t “qualify” for help.
- No out-of-hours support – After 5PM, there are no local mental health services available.
- No local A&E – The nearest emergency departments are in Cheltenham or Gloucester, which may be inaccessible to those without transport or financial resources.
- Inaccessibility of services – Waiting lists are long, and getting a referral often requires navigating complex bureaucratic processes.
- Blame-shifting – Instead of providing help, people are referred elsewhere, often to services that also refuse to assist.
What Needs to Change?
Mental health support should not be a last resort for those in extreme crisis—it should be proactive, accessible, and responsive. Tewkesbury and Gloucestershire need:
✅ A local crisis service or mental health hub that operates after 5PM for those in need.
✅ More inclusive mental health services that recognize how external stressors (like housing, noise, and social issues) impact well-being.
✅ Better communication between services, so people aren’t constantly passed around with no real help.
✅ Support for those in distress before they reach crisis point, rather than waiting until their situation becomes life-threatening.
✅ Training for staff to better understand neurodivergence and mental health issues beyond the most extreme cases.
✅ An emergency mental health response service within Tewkesbury to help those who cannot access A&E.
Final Thoughts
Right now, too many people in Tewkesbury who need help are being left to struggle alone. If you’ve been dismissed by mental health services, you’re not alone. The system is failing far too many people, and change is long overdue.
If you’ve had a similar experience, share your story. The more people speak up, the more pressure there will be for real reform.
Disclaimer:
This post reflects personal experiences and observations and is intended to raise awareness of issues within local mental health services. It is not intended as a definitive statement on the policies or actions of any specific organization.
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