August 2025 - Why I hate "sign-posting"

Trigger Warning- Difficult mental health topics

Working with real humans brings difficult conversations- real pain, real anger and real dilemmas. And my absolute passion is helping people move through this and untangle what’s really going on to ultimately live the life they WANT to.

Sometimes in coaching sessions I am presented with something that makes it difficult for me to know the best course of action - if someone is in “active crisis” and requires something more than I can offer for instance.

But what do I do?!

I have had extensive coaching training, I am a mental health first aider, I have qualifications in neurodiversity and feel comfortable with the depths of human emotion, and yet I still know that there are other interventions more suitable at different times.

My training suggests I refer people to their GP and to make use of their support network. (I would call the emergency services directly if I felt a client or those around them were in imminent danger) But ultimately I “sign-post” people to the services that are trained and qualified to help.

But GP’s are overwhelmed, and do not usually have any specialist training.

Support networks can feel, at worst non existent, and at best overburdened themselves…

… And quite frankly the word “sign-posting” makes me cringe- where does all this “sign-posting” get us anyway?

Do people really go from a crisis state to living their best lives? And if so how many stops are there along the way?

Or do we just pass the buck until someone either settles for what remnants of a life they can gather or tragically gives up because nothing soothes the pain for long enough?

What is the destination for all the “sign-posting” anyway, is it drugs, is it a physical procedure, or is it just delaying time for the intensity of crisis to wear off?

I know it’s a very difficult and personal topic but I want to do better for my clients.

What ACTUALLY helps?