Mental Health Services on the NHS
The NHS has responded to the increase in mental health issues by offering services. This includes:
The Long Term Plan has made the commitment to increase the investment in mental health services faster than the NHS budget in general. This includes specialist work in suicide prevention.
Get assistance
One out of four of us will have a mental health problem at some time in our lives. The good news is that there are plenty of different ways to get help, and most people recover over time. But it's important to know what help is available, and who is able to provide it.
You can seek assistance from a variety of sources such as your GP (primary care medical doctor) or your local health center or a community mental health team. These teams consist of nurses, occupational therapists psychotherapists, psychotherapists and speech and language therapists who work with those who utilize the service. You can receive individual or group therapy depending on the type of assistance you require.
You will be asked to complete a form with your GP so that they can refer you to a mental health professional in the community. They will also ask you what kind of support you need. You will then be seen by a member of a mental health team that may include a psychiatrist, social worker or psychologist. In some instances the clinical nurse specialist will carry out your assessment and treatment. You can contact the NHS 111 helpline if you are in crisis. If you're already supported by mental health services, it's best to call your usual team first, unless it's outside of core hours, the weekend or on a bank holiday.
The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health detailed plans to establish multidisciplinary, community-based mental health teams that are linked to primary care networks. link web site how to get a private mental health assessment will improve the quality of the care provided to those experiencing an illness of mental health and offer support within their communities and homes rather than in hospitals.
The plan also aimed at provide crisis services to more people by reducing waiting times and opening more beds. It also proposes the introduction of mental health transport vehicles and make sure that all ambulances have an official who is a mental health liaison in their control rooms to ensure that people who are having an illness of mental health are helped in times of crisis.
Treatment options
The NHS offers a variety of treatment options for people suffering from mental health problems. GPs are usually able to treat minor illnesses, however more serious conditions will require the assistance of a specialist team. These teams are spread across primary and community mental health services and mental health hospitals. You can also seek assistance in a secure space when you are in a crisis.
Talking therapies are one of the most commonly used forms of treatment for depression and anxiety. These programs, formerly known as IAPT (Interactive Assessment and Psychotherapy), have seen their numbers of clients increase each year since they introduced in 2008. The NHS Long Term Plan has committed to expanding these programs to 1.9 million people by 2023/2024.
The use of psychiatric medication is also an important part of treatment. They can help alleviate symptoms by changing the way chemicals work in your brain. They can also help reduce the effects of other treatments. Your doctor will prescribe the right medicine for you.
There are a variety of talk therapies, such as individual therapy and group therapy. Some of these can be delivered in person, whereas others can be done via a remote device. Some patients prefer face-to-face treatment, but it's a matter of choice. There are a variety of charities that provide support groups and classes like Mind. The site is full of information that is trustworthy, but be aware of the fact that there are many false or misleading statements that are posted on the internet concerning mental health issues.
The NHS is advancing the quality of mental health care, but it is struggling to meet demand. There are 54 mental health trusts in the UK, and most of they receive funding from clinical commissioning organizations to deliver their service. They are typically located in a specific region however, they are also able to be commissioned to provide national services.
The main issue is the lack of resources to meet the demands of the rising population. There are also concerns about the quality of care, and the shortage of psychiatrists and nurses. The NHS is trying to improve the quality of care by providing more training and developing new ways of working. It also introduces more secure and efficient methods to assist people in need, such as mobile crisis teams and safe areas.
Helping you
Since the NHS was first introduced 70 years ago there are positive changes for those with mental health issues. Treatment options have increased and social barriers are breaking down. But there is still more to be done.
People who are experiencing mental health issues should receive the help they require quickly and easily. The NHS is working to improve services so that people in need are able to access 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 wards for inpatients and that 70% of them will be in compliance with the core 24 standard by 2023/24. Then we will strive for 100% coverage.
We will also expand community services, including talking therapy, to provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of people with mental health conditions regardless of whether they are common or severe. We will continue to work on the national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program to ensure that more people are treated by trained therapists more quickly.
The NHS offers free, confidential helplines for anyone struggling with mental health issues. These include the Samaritans, Mind and Rethink. These helplines are run entirely by volunteers who provide 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, there are a number of local organizations that 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 is the University's Open Door Team which offers the opportunity to visit a counselling center for those who feel depressed or stressed. Nightline is a student counselling service that provides confidential listening as well as information and support from knowledgeable volunteers. Charities like Mind and Rethink are a excellent source of information. They can provide support in various forms, including online and through local groups. They also provide many courses and activities, from mindfulness to art groups which can be helpful for those living with mental health problems.
Referrals
With mental health services under pressure, doctors are forced to make difficult decisions about what specialist services they should refer patients to. The GP will look at the medical history of the patient and recommend them to services they believe will be able assist. They may refer a patient to an NHS trust or an independent provider.
A mental health professional will assess the referral to determine if it is appropriate or not. If the specialist isn't happy with the referral, they'll contact the GP and explain why. They might request the GP to change the referral or request additional information.
Referrals to a local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) may be made via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). The system allows GPs and other healthcare professionals to refer people to either a preliminary mental health clinical assessment or directly to an appointment with an outpatient. However there are some exceptions. CMHTs offer both options and the system isn't able to be used for every type of mental health referral.
A doctor may decide to refer a patient to a specialized community mental health service (CMT). They are typically run by a major local health organization or a hospital. CMTs are a good choice for those who have to see a psychiatrist or psychologist, but do not require inpatient treatment. They can also offer an early intervention service where psychiatrists work with a therapy therapist to assist someone in overcoming an issue or improve the quality of their life.
CMTs are faced with the task of making sure that all referrals are received within a reasonable time frame. One of the challenges is that many referrals are deemed urgent, even though they might not be. This can cause people who aren't experiencing a crisis to be overwhelmed and suffer delays.
To combat this problem, some CMHTs have attempted to establish more uniform guidelines for what constitutes an urgent referral. This has been accomplished by using the standardised referral forma that requires the referrer to decide if the situation is urgent. The form has a checkbox that the referrer can tick in the event that they believe that the referral is urgent.