Mental Health Services on the NHS
The NHS has responded to the increase in mental health problems by offering services. This includes:
The Long Term Plan has made a renewed commitment to grow investment in mental health services more quickly than the NHS budget overall. This includes specialist work in suicide prevention.
Get assistance
One out of four of us will experience 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. It is crucial to know the types of help available and who can offer it.
You can seek assistance from a variety of places such as your doctor (primary medical doctor who treats patients) as well as your local health center or a community mental health team. These teams comprise of nurses, occupational and speech therapists, and psychotherapists. They work with people who use their services. You may receive individual or group therapy depending on the type of help you require.
You will be asked to fill out a form from your GP so they can refer you to a mental health team in the community. They will also talk with you about the kind of help you require. You will then be seen by someone from a mental health team, which may include a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker. In certain instances the clinical nurse specialist will conduct your assessment and treatment. mental assessment iampsychiatry can contact the NHS 111 helpline when you're in crisis. If you already receive support for your mental health, it is best to call your usual team first, unless out of office hours, on a weekend or bank holiday.
The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health outlined plans to create more multidisciplinary, community-based, place-based mental health teams that have links to primary care networks. These teams will enhance the quality of the care that is provided to those who are in a crisis, and will provide assistance to those within their communities and at home rather than in hospitals.
The plan also aims at making emergency services available by cutting down wait times and opening up more beds. It also proposes a mental transport vehicle and ensure that all ambulances are outfitted with a mental liaison nurse within the control room to make sure that those who are experiencing mental distress are assisted in emergency situations.
Treatment options
The NHS offers a wide array of treatment options for mental health issues. GPs are usually able to treat minor illnesses, however more serious issues will require the assistance of a specialist team. These teams are spread across both community and primary mental health services as well as psychiatric hospitals. You can also seek help in a secure space when you are in a crisis.
Talking therapies are one of the most common types of treatment for depression and anxiety. These programs, previously known as IAPT (Interactive Assessment and Psychotherapy) have seen their referral numbers increase each year since they introduced in 2008. The NHS Long Term Plan has set the goal of expanding these services to 1.9 million people by 2023/2024.
The use of psychiatric medication is also an important part of treatment. They can improve symptoms by altering how chemicals in your brain work. They can also be used to reduce the side effects of other treatments. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medicine for you.
There are many different types of talking therapies, including individual therapy and group therapy. Some of them are offered in person, whereas others can be done remotely. Some patients prefer receiving treatment in person, but that is a personal preference. Mind is one of many charities that offer support groups and courses. The site contains a wealth of information that is reliable, but be aware of the fact that there are numerous false or misleading statements that are posted on the internet concerning mental health issues.
The NHS is advancing mental health care but it's struggling to meet the demands. In the UK, there are 54 mental trusts. The majority of them receive funding for their services from the clinical commissioning group. They typically are located in a specific region however, they can also be contracted to provide national services.
The main issue is the insufficient resources to meet rising demand. There are also concerns over the quality of care, and the shortage of psychiatrists and nurses. The NHS is trying to improve these services by offering more training and developing new ways of working. It also provides more secure and efficient ways to help those who are in crisis. This includes mobile crisis teams, as well as safe spaces.
Helping you
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, there have been positive developments for those suffering from mental health issues. The treatment options have increased and social barriers have been broken down. But there is more to be done.
Patients who are experiencing mental health problems require the ability to access the help they require quickly and easily. This is why the NHS is putting in the effort to improve the services available to those who require them. In 2020/21, we will ensure that all acute hospitals have a mental health liaison service, both in A&E as well as on wards for patients, and that 70% of these will meet the standard of 24 by 2023/24. Then we will work towards 100 percent coverage.
We will also expand services for the community, such as talking therapy, to offer assistance to hundreds of thousands of people suffering from mental health issues regardless of whether they are severe or common. We will continue to develop the national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program to ensure that more people can be treated by trained therapists more quickly.
The NHS offers free, confidential helplines for anyone suffering from mental health issues. These include the Samaritans, Mind and Rethink. These helplines are run 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 concerns.
There are also local organisations that can provide support and guidance to people suffering from mental health issues. These can include self-help guides, coping strategies, and activities to try. Many of these organisations also provide support groups in person for those who would prefer this type of support.
The University's Open Door Team offers a drop-in counseling service for students experiencing stress or depression. Nightline is a student counseling service that provides confidential listening assistance, information and support from experienced volunteers. Charities such as Mind and Rethink can provide an abundance of information and assistance, both on the internet and in local groups. They can also offer a variety of courses and activities, from mindfulness to art groups, which may be useful for those living with mental health issues.
Making a referral
Mental health services are under pressure and GPs have to make difficult decisions about which specialist services they should refer their patients to. The GP will consider the medical history of the patient and refer them to services they believe will be able aid. They may refer a patient to an NHS trust or an independent service.
A mental health specialist will review the referral to determine if it is appropriate or not. If the specialist isn't satisfied with the referral, they'll contact the GP and explain why. They can also ask the GP to provide more information or to change the referral.
Requests for a local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) may be made via the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). The system permits GPs and other health professionals to refer people to either a preliminary mental health assessment or directly to an outpatient appointment. However not all CMHTs provide both options, and the system can't be used for every kind of mental health referral.
A GP may also decide to refer a person to an expert community mental health service (CMT). They are typically operated by a large local health organization or hospital. CMTs are an excellent option for those who have to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist but don't require inpatient care. They also provide an early intervention service in which psychiatrists collaborate with therapy therapist to help someone overcome any crisis or improve the quality of their life.
One of the challenges faced by a CMT is to ensure that all referrals are assigned within the appropriate timeframe. Many referrals are considered urgent even though they may not be. This can cause people who aren't in crisis to be rushed and suffer delays.
To combat this problem, some CMHTs have tried 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 determine if the case is urgent. The proforma has a box that the referrer has to check to indicate if the referral is urgent.