[Friday]

I have been calling to schedule an appointment for intake and the person who does intakes at my local clinic is not responding at all. I haven't received a call back, she does not pick up its just nothing. I tried calling the secretary for the mental department for the clinic and she just tells me that I have to make my appointment directly with the intake lady. I have no insurance and this is the only place I can afford. I have no idea what I am going to do. Willing to take any suggestions.

Keep calling and leaving messages. Go to their office personally. Tell them you have been trying to get through and have not received a response. Call the secretary again and tell her you want to speak to a manager. Good Luck!

[ECHOES]

Hi Friday and Welcome to PC!

How frustrating trying to just get through on the phone to make an appointment, especially when that call can be hard to make in the first place. I wonder if that person has been off work all week and that's why there was no answer and no call back to you. Please keep trying to reach her and each time state that you have called before and haven't had a response. Also, would it be possible for you go to the clinic in person to make the appointment?

Keep a record of your attempts to call. If you can't get through then call the secretary back and tell her the details of your attempts to contact the intake person to make an appointment (have dates and times written down to refer to if necessary). If the secretary isn't able to help you (because she may lack the authority to do that), ask to speak to her supervisor who may have more authority to step in and help you.

Please let us know how it goes!

Meanwhile, come here and talk to us all you want. We're here for you!

Is there a voicemail that you have been leaving messages on or does it just ring without anyone picking up?

Can you go to the office in person?

[Perna]

Yes, I'd go in there but by now I'd be so angry I'd be afraid I was going to do the person bodily harm :-)

I would try calling back whoever referred you to the clinic, told you to call them, and see if you can get an intervention in your behalf with a professional calling to find out what the problem is or when it is best to call or how to get a call-back, etc. Just an inquiry by a professional and "complaint" might wake someone up somewhere.

where do you live? generally i mean... if you are in canada then look for your local branch of the CMHA, they can help you as well. They are well versed in dealing with the local clinics. You could go to one of their branches and explain to a worker there, ask for help.

If you live elsewhere... first suggestion is like the others, go there in person. Perna's idea is a wonderful one too.

If all else fails? Go to outpatients or the ER and tell them you have been trying to get seen but no one wil talk to you or return your calls. That is what a friend of mine did. The outpatient staff were not happy with the clinic intake people and he had a pdoc on call come and talk to him and they made an appt right there.

[Friday]

Well I told my aunt and she called her and *****ed her out and I have an appointment next week.

Thank you guys for your suggestions and support.