"Emergency Department"

I went to emergency in the morning recently requiring help with my state of mental health.

The triage nurse was, I felt, very loud and arrogant when asking questions, so I believe all other patients in waiting room knew exactly what I was there for. I felt there was absolutely no confidentiality or attempt of same on their behalf. I was told there would be about a couple of hours wait. After a few hours of waiting and many patients being called in before me, I went to enquire at clerk desk about wait time. They said I was still 7th on the list.

When I first arrived at ED there were a few people before me waiting. A few hours later I am 7th in the cue. Went to ask again after almost an hour. By this time my anxiety levels had increased immensely and becoming very agitated and teary.

The same triage nurse was at the desk. I asked how long I would have to wait and I believe they couldn't answer. I said obviously mental health is a low priority. I said I want to be seen next. They responded by saying, you want to go, yes you can go, to which I responded no I want to be seen next. They, I felt, arrogantly responded that I'll be seen by someone on next change of shift, and acknowledged that I had been waiting longer than anyone else. I sat again, feeling very defeated and teary. I still had to wait almost another hour before I was seen.

Obviously, I believe, if you go into emergency for mental health related issues, you're not going for the fun of it. You try to hold yourself together to not give the perception that you are struggling, but maybe you should start crying and sobbing the minute you go in so the nurse ... and all other patients ... can see what sort of state you are really in.