Co.Down woman with personality disorder: "NI charities saved my life"
23-year-old Rebecca McConnell is speaking out as part of Downtown Cool FM's 'Invest in Life' campaign.
The Newtownards woman suffers from ADHD, depression and was recently diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
Rebecca says her symptoms can be very severe.
"I don't want to get out of bed, I have had suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self harm.
"The place I went when I was in despair was Lifeline.
"I've been hospitalized three times with attempted suicide and every time I was let out the next day at the latest.
"Other than the fact that Lifeline called me every night at eight o'clock, I probably wouldn't have made it through that time," she said.
The-23-year-old says she may have to wait up to two years to see a consultant and consider a treatment plan.
"I was referred almost a year ago and it could be two years unless I go privately and pay.
"I've been offered nothing for that, no medication," she said.
Having struggled since the age of eight with mental health issues, the County Down woman says she is becoming increasingly frustrated.
"I've reached out for the help and the help's not there.
"I'm not getting any support other than from charities that I got outside the NHS who are supposed to be the ones who are helping and they've just abandoned me," she said.
Rebecca turned to a local charity for help and support after suffering from repeated bouts of serious depression.
"I found out about the Mental Health Recovery Network who meet every month , that is a fantastic support group who have helped me through some really dark times.
"The charities have saved my life," she said.
She has called on politicians in Northern Ireland to take mental health issues more seriously and invest more in providing help and support to patients.
"They need to realise that mental health is as serious as a heart attack, it can be as serious and life threatening.
"They definitely need more funding, we get pushed to the side a lot, we need to be recognised more and realise how serious this can be for people.," she said.
She added: "They need to realise that it's not just the physical things that are killing people there's mental health issues too that are taking lives and it needs sorted."