14 Questions You Shouldn't Be Insecure To Ask About Mental Health Services NHS
Mental Health Services on the NHS
There has been a huge increase in people seeking treatment for mental health issues, and the NHS has responded by offering services. This includes:
The Long Term Plan has made an unrepeatable commitment to increase the investment in mental health services quicker than the NHS budget in general. This will include the work of a specialist in suicide prevention.
Get assistance
One of four of us will suffer from mental health issues at some moment in our lives. The good news is that there are many different options to seek assistance and the majority of us recover over time. It is crucial to know the types of help available and who can offer it.
You can seek help from a variety places like your doctor (primary medical doctor for primary care) as well as your local health centre, or a community mental health team. These teams comprise of nurses, occupational and psychotherapists, as well as speech therapists. They work with patients who require their services. Based on the kind of help you require, you may be offered individual or group therapy.
Your GP will usually require you to fill out an application form to refer you to a local mental health team. They will also ask you what you require in terms of support. You will then be examined by a member of the mental health team that could include a psychiatrist, social worker or psychologist. In certain instances the assessment and treatment will be carried out by a nurse specialist. You can contact the NHS 111 helpline when you're in a crisis. If you're already being assisted by mental health services, it's a good idea to call your usual team first unless it's out of core hours, the weekend or on a bank holiday.
The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health detailed plans to establish multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals in the community that are connected to primary care networks. They will improve the quality of care that is given to those experiencing a mental health crisis. They will also provide support within their communities and homes rather than in hospitals.
The plan also aims to make crisis services more accessible by reducing waiting times and opening more beds. It also proposed to introduce mental health transport vehicles, and ensure that all ambulances have a mental health liaison nurse in their control rooms to improve the way that people who are having mental health issues are assisted in emergencies.
Treatment options
The NHS offers a range of treatment options for mental health problems. GPs are usually able to treat milder illnesses, however more serious issues will require the assistance of a specialist team. These teams work across community and primary mental health services and also mental health hospitals. You can also seek assistance in a secure space when you are in a crisis.
Talking therapies are among the most popular forms of treatment for anxiety and depression. Previously known as IAPT, these programs have seen referrals increase every year since they were introduced in 2008. The NHS Long Term Plan has committed to expanding these programs to 1.9 million people by 2023/2024.
Psychiatric medicines are another important part of treatment. They can help alleviate symptoms by altering the way chemicals work in your brain. They can also help reduce the effects of other treatments. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication for you.
A wide range of talking therapy options are available which include group therapy as well as individual therapy. Some of these therapies can be delivered in-person, while others are available via remote access. Some patients prefer receiving treatment in person, but this is a personal preference. There are also a number of charities that provide support groups and classes like Mind. The site contains a wealth of information that is reliable however, be aware that there are many false or misleading claims on the internet about mental health issues.
The NHS is working to improve the quality of mental health care, but it is struggling to meet demand. There are 54 mental health trusts across the UK, and most of are funded by clinical commissioning organizations to deliver their service. They typically are located in a specific region, but they can be commissioned to offer national services.
The shortage of resources is a major problem. There are also concerns over the quality of care, and the shortage of psychiatrists and nurses. The NHS is working to improve the services by introducing new ways of working and offering more training. It also offers more secure and efficient methods to treat those who are in crisis. These include mobile crisis teams and safe space.
Helping official website
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago there have been positive developments for those with mental health issues. Treatment options have gotten more diverse and social barriers are being broken down. But there is much more to be done.
People who are in mental health issues should receive the assistance they require quickly and easily. The NHS is working to improve its services to ensure that those who need them can get them. In 2020/21, we will ensure that all acute hospitals have a mental-health liaison service, both in A&E and on wards for inpatients and that 70% will be in compliance with the core 24 standard by 2023/24. Then we will strive for 100% coverage.
We will also enhance community services, including talking therapy, to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of individuals suffering from mental health problems, whether they are common or severe. We will continue to work on our national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies program (IAPT) to ensure that more people with mental health conditions can be seen quicker by trained therapists.
The NHS provides confidential, free helplines to anyone struggling with mental health issues. These include the Samaritans and Mind and Rethink. These helplines are run by volunteers who offer a safe place to talk or give advice and information on how to deal your mental health concerns.
There are a variety of local organisations that can provide assistance and support to those who suffer from mental health issues. These include self-help guides, coping strategies, and activities to try. Many of these organisations provide support groups in person to those who would prefer it.
For students, there is the University's Open Door Team which offers a drop-in counselling service for those who feel depressed or stressed. There is also the Nightline student counselling service which offers confidential listening and support from knowledgeable volunteers, as well as information on other services. Charities like Mind and Rethink can provide many sources of information and support both on the internet and in local groups. They offer a variety of classes and activities, from mindfulness to art classes that can be beneficial for those suffering from mental health issues.
Referrals
Mental health services are under strain and GPs must make difficult decisions about which specialist services to refer their patients to. The doctor will take into consideration the medical history of the patient and refer them to services they believe will be able to assist. They may send a referral either to an NHS trust or an independent provider.
A mental health professional will then assess the referral and decide whether it's appropriate or not. If the specialist isn't pleased with the referral they will contact the GP to discuss their decision and explain the reasons. They may also request the GP for more details or to modify the referral.
The ability to refer patients to a local Community Mental Health Team can be made through the NHS e-Referral Service. The system allows GPs and other health professionals to refer people to either a mental health assessment or directly to an appointment with an outpatient. Not all CMHTs offer both options, and the system cannot be used for all types of mental health referrals.
A doctor may also refer patients to a mental health specialist in the community service (CMT). These are usually run by a large local healthcare organization or hospital. CMTs are a great option for those who require to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist but do not require inpatient care. They also offer an early intervention program, where a psychiatrist works with a therapist to help a person overcome a problem or improve their life quality.
CMTs are faced with the task of making sure that all referrals are received within a reasonable amount of time. One of the issues is that many referrals are deemed as urgent, despite the fact that they might not be. This can lead to delays and over-working for those who aren't in a crisis.
To tackle this issue, some CMHTs are trying to establish more consistent standards for what is considered an urgent referral. This was achieved by using an established form that asks the referrer to indicate if the case is urgent. The form includes a box that the referrer is able to tick if the referral is urgent.