Indisputable Proof That You Need Mental Health Services NHS
Mental Health Services on the NHS
The NHS has responded to the rising number of mental health issues by offering services. This includes:
The Long Term Plan reaffirmed its commitment to invest more in mental health services faster than the overall NHS budget. This includes the work of a specialist in suicide prevention.
Getting help
One of four of us will have a mental health problem at some point in our lives. The good news is that there are a variety of different ways to get help, and most people recover after a while. It is crucial to know the types of help available and who can offer it.
You can seek help from your physician or your local health center or mental health team within your community. These teams consist of nurses, occupational and psychotherapists and speech therapists. They work with people who use their services. Depending on the type of assistance you require, you may be offered individual or group therapy.
You will be asked to complete a form with your doctor so that they can refer you to a mental health team in the community. They will also talk with you about the type of help you require. You will be seen by an individual from the mental team, such as psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker. In certain instances the clinical nurse specialist will conduct your assessment and treatment. You can contact the NHS 111 helpline for assistance if you're in an emergency. If you are already receiving mental health services it is recommended to contact your regular team first, unless it's out of hours, on a weekend or bank holiday.
The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health outlined plans to create more place-based, multidisciplinary community mental health teams, with connections to primary care networks. mental health evaluation will improve the quality of care that is provided to those experiencing a mental health crisis. They will also provide support within their communities and homes, rather than in hospital.
The plan aims to make emergency services available by cutting down waiting times and opening more beds. It also proposes a mental transport vehicle and ensure that all ambulances are stocked with a mental liaison nurse in the control room to improve how patients who are suffering from mental illness are supported during emergency situations.
Treatment options
The NHS offers a wide array of treatment options for mental health conditions. GPs typically have the ability to treat milder disorders, but more serious issues will require a specialist team. These teams work across primary and community mental health services and psychiatric hospitals. You can also seek assistance in a safe space when you are in a crisis.
Talking therapies are among the most popular forms of treatment for depression and anxiety. Formerly known as IAPT, these programs have seen the number of people who seek them increase every year since their introduction in 2008. The NHS Long Term Plan has committed to expanding these services to 1.9 million people by 2023/2024.
Psychiatric medicines are another important component of treatment. They can improve symptoms through changing the way chemicals work in your brain. They can also be used to minimize the adverse effects of other treatments. Your doctor will suggest the best medication for you.
There are a variety of talk therapies, such as individual therapy and group therapy. Some of them are offered in person, while others can be done online. Some patients prefer face-to-face treatment, but it is a matter of choice. Mind is one of the charities that offer support groups and classes. The website contains a wealth of information that is reliable but you should be aware that there are numerous false or misleading claims on the internet regarding mental health issues.
The NHS is working to improve mental health care but it's struggling to meet the demand. In the UK, there are 54 mental trusts. Most of them receive funding for their services from the clinical commissioning groups. They typically are located in a specific region however, they may be commissioned to provide national services.
The main issue is the insufficient resources to meet the growing demand. There are also concerns about the quality of care, and a shortage of psychiatrists and nurses. The NHS is trying to improve the quality of care by delivering more training and introducing new ways of working. It is also introducing safer and more effective ways to treat people in crisis like mobile crisis teams and secure areas.
Helping you
Since the NHS was launched 70 years ago there have been a lot of positive developments for people suffering from mental health issues. Treatment options have increased and social barriers are being taken down. However, there is much to be done.
People who are experiencing mental illness need to receive the help they require quickly and easily. The NHS is working to improve its services to ensure that those who need them receive them. By 2020/21 we will ensure that all acute hospitals have a mental-health liaison service that is available in A&E and on inpatient wards and that 70% of these will meet the standard of 24 by 2023/24. We will then work towards 100% coverage.
We will also expand services for people who need them in the community, including therapy for talking, which will give hundreds of thousands more patients with severe or common mental health conditions the assistance they need. We will continue to work on our national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies program (IAPT) to ensure that more people suffering from mental health conditions are seen faster by trained therapists.
The NHS offers free, confidential helplines to anyone struggling with a mental health issue. These include the Samaritans and Mind and Rethink. These helplines are run by volunteers who offer an environment where you can talk to someone in a safe manner or provide advice and information on how to manage your mental health issues.
In addition to that, there are a lot of local organisations which can provide assistance and support for those suffering from mental health issues. They can provide self-help guides, coping strategies, and activities to try. Many of these organisations also provide support groups in person for those who prefer this method.
For students, there's the University's Open Door Team which offers an opportunity to consult with a counsellor at any time for those feeling low or stressed. There is also the Nightline student counselling service which offers confidential listening and support from experienced volunteers, or details on other services. Charities such as Mind and Rethink can provide a wealth of information and assistance, both on the internet and in local groups. They offer a variety of courses and activities from mindfulness to art classes that are useful for people with mental health issues.
Referring someone to you
With mental health services under pressure, doctors are forced to make difficult decisions about which specialist services they can refer patients to. The GP will consider the medical history of the patient and refer them to services they believe will be able to assist. They may send a referral to an NHS trust or an independent service.
A mental health professional will review the referral to determine if the referral is appropriate or not. If the specialist isn't satisfied with the referral, they'll contact the GP to discuss their decision and explain the reasons. They may also ask the GP to change the referral or ask for more information.
Referrals to a local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) can be made through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). The system permits GPs and other health professionals to refer people to either a preliminary mental health clinical assessment service or directly to an appointment with an outpatient. However, not all CMHTs offer both options and the system can't be used for every type of mental health referral.
A GP may also refer patients to a mental health specialist in the community service (CMT). They are usually managed by an extensive hospital or a local healthcare organisation. CMTs can be a good alternative for those looking to consult with a seasoned psychologist or psychiatrist but do not require inpatient treatment. They can also provide an early intervention service, where a psychiatrist collaborates with an counselor to help someone overcome a crisis or improve their life quality.
CMTs have the responsibility of ensuring that all referrals are made within a reasonable time. One of the issues is that many referrals are deemed as urgent, even though they might not be. This can result in delays and over-working for people who are not in crisis.
To tackle this issue, some CMHTs have attempted to establish more uniform standards for what constitutes an urgent referral. This has been achieved by using the standardised referral forma that requires a referrer consider whether the case is urgent. The proforma includes a box that the referrer can tick in the event that they believe that the referral is urgent.