General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A friend had a breakdown [View all]Tom Rinaldo
(22,912 posts)Most mental health professionals will be helpful to a limited extent at least, with the stress on limited. But a truly exceptional practitioner can make a huge difference over time. Yes I know that professionals like that, who are not economically out of reach, are few and far between, and they always seem to already have full case loads. But every once in a while a slot does open up with one of them.
It takes persistence and determination to sift through available mental health options to find that rare nugget, someone with really special skills who is not worried about maximizing their income who has time to see your friend. If you keep asking around you may get many false leads, but one might eventually be the one. I know from my experience with a very close friend that the right help can make a major difference in the life of someone undergoing a mental health crisis.