Fine if you're rich

So over the years I've had need intermittently to access mental health support services at varying levels. Over the course of that time, I've had times when I've been in a healthy financial position, and others when keeping a roof over my head has been a real struggle. While I've encountered competent practitioners at both ends of the 'financial' spectrum, I've had vastly different experiences accessing services consistent with how much cash I've been able to fork out. I certainly don't wish to suggest that public health service professionals are anything other than hard working or dedicated. However, I do consider it a sad indictment of a society at large (so this speaks to broad scale resourcing priorities) that puts so little stock in the mental health of community members that even people in crisis can be waiting months for support simply because they aren't wealthy. I know in my own case that when I'm well, I'm a vibrant and active member of the community and have always worked very hard to ensure that what I do both privately and professionally make a positive contribution. When I'm not well, then yeah, I achieve pretty much nothing of value to anyone. Extrapolate this experience and consider how much better off we'd all be as a society if those who need a little support can access it *when they need it* and get back both to living their best lives, but also helping others live theirs, rather than leaving people languishing in a black hole just trying to survive for long periods of time.