Intake is scheduled ...

for today and I am feeling very nervous and anxious about it ... I am looking for any insight or thoughts that people may have concerning their first contact. I can give some general background if you like... just let me know what you would like to know ...

Hello I hope you are feeling a little less anxious at this time. An intake just entails you giving information to an intake person, about yourself and your mental health issues. Be honest and direct and truthful which is the main importance. The intake person will them direct your information to the right person to deal with your case. Writing down certain information and details sometimes helps, if you are forgetful at times. Try to relax and be ready to answer numerous questions, when I go to an intake with someone I try to take a pop or water, it takes a while to do an intake. Taking a snack may be in order as well if you take medication and need to eat something while at the intake. Let us know how things go later today. I am going to leave you a hotline number to call in case you need to call and talk to someone in person 1-800-273-TALK. Take care Sincerely Soidhonia

You've probably already had your intake or are in the process by now. I would also have a list of family members that had any mental illness (either treated or untreated), as well as alcoholism, etc. I cried through my whole intake at the out-patient program I went to for my bp a few years ago. I was obviously very depressed and had some difficulty explaining my "problem", but the therapist got the idea and I received a lot of good help from that program since I was newly diagnosed. Hope all went well.--Suzy

If you have already gone through the intake process, I hope it went well for you. The number one thing is to be totally honest about everything.
They will be able to help you even more if they know the whole story.
Good luck,
Linda