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 reaffirmed its commitment to increase investment in mental health services faster than overall NHS budget. This includes the work of a specialist in suicide prevention.
Get assistance
One in four people will suffer from a mental illness at some time in their lives. The good news is that there are a variety of different options to seek help and most of us recover with time. However, it is important to know what assistance is available and who can offer it.
You can seek help from a variety of sources, including your GP (primary medical doctor who treats patients) or your local health centre or a community mental health team. These teams are made up of occupational therapists, nurses, psychotherapists and speech and language therapists who work together with the people who utilize the service. You may receive individual or group therapy depending on the type of assistance you require.
Your GP will usually request you to fill out the form to make a referral to a local mental health team. They will also talk to you about the type of help you need. You will then be seen by a member of the mental health team, which may comprise a psychiatrist psychologist or social worker. In some instances a clinical nurse specialist will conduct your assessment and treatment. If you're experiencing a crisis, you can call the NHS 111 helpline for immediate support. If you're already being supported by mental health services it's a good idea to try and contact your usual team first, unless it's out of the normal hours, a weekend or a bank holiday.
The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health detailed plans to create multidisciplinary mental health teams in the community which are connected to primary care networks. These teams will increase the quality of the mental health services that is provided to those who are in a crisis, and will provide assistance to patients in their homes and community instead of in hospitals.
The plan also aimed at provide crisis services to more people by reducing waiting times and opening more beds. It would also introduce the mental transport vehicle and ensure that all ambulances are outfitted with a mental liaison nurse in the control room to ensure that those who are experiencing mental distress are supported during emergency situations.
Treatment options
The NHS offers a wide array of treatment options for mental health conditions. GPs are usually able to treat milder illnesses, however more serious illnesses will require the assistance of a specialist team. These teams work across both community and primary mental health services as well as mental health hospitals. You can also seek help in a secure environment if you feel in crisis.
Talking therapies are among the most common types of treatment for depression and anxiety. These programs, previously known as IAPT (Interactive Assessment and Psychotherapy), have seen their numbers of clients increase every year since they were launched in 2008. The NHS Long Term Plan commits to expanding these programs to ensure that 1.9 million people will be able to access them by 2023/2024.
Psychiatric medications are another crucial component of treatment. They can improve symptoms by altering the way the brain's chemicals function. They can also be used to ease side effects of other treatments. Your doctor will suggest the best medication for you.
There are many kinds of talk therapy, including individual therapy and group therapy. Some of these treatments are delivered in person, while others are available via remote access. Some patients prefer face-to face treatment, but it is the choice of the patient. There are also a number of charities that provide support groups and courses, such as Mind. The website contains a wealth of reliable information however, be aware of the fact that there are a lot of false or misleading statements on the internet concerning mental health issues.
The NHS is improving the mental health system, 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 area, but can be contracted to provide national services.
The shortage of resources is a major problem. There are concerns over the quality and availability of psychiatrists and nurses. The NHS is trying to improve the quality of care by introducing new ways of work and providing more training. It is also introducing more secure and efficient methods to help people in crisis like mobile crisis teams and secure places.
We are here to help you
Since the NHS launched 70 years ago there have been numerous positive developments for people suffering from mental health issues. Treatment options have expanded and social barriers are being broken down. But there is more to be done.
Patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis must be able to get the assistance they require quickly and easily. The NHS is working to improve its services so that people in need receive help. By 2020/21 we will ensure that all acute hospitals have a mental health liaison service, both in A&E and on inpatient wards, and that 70% of these will be in compliance with the core 24 standard by 2023/24. Then we will strive to achieve 100 percent coverage.
private mental health diagnosis uk will also increase services for those who require them in the community, including therapy for talking, which will give thousands of more people suffering from severe or common mental health issues the help they need. We will continue to work on our national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (IAPT) in order to ensure that more people with mental health problems can be seen more quickly by trained therapists.
The NHS offers confidential, free helplines to anyone struggling with mental health issues. These include the Samaritans, Mind and Rethink. These helplines are run by trained volunteers. They offer the opportunity to talk with someone in a secure environment or give advice and information on how to tackle your mental health concerns.
Additionally there are a variety of local organizations that can offer support and guidance for people with mental health problems. They can provide self-help guides, coping strategies, and activities to try. Many of these organisations offer support groups that meet face-to-face to those who prefer it.
For students, there's the University's Open Door Team which offers an opportunity to consult with a counsellor at any time for those who feel low or stressed. There is also the Nightline student counselling service which provides confidential listening and support from experienced volunteers, or information on other services. Charities such as Mind and Rethink can provide a wealth of information and support, both on the internet and in local groups. They also provide many classes and activities, ranging from mindfulness to art groups that could be beneficial for people suffering from mental health problems.
Making a referral
With mental health services under pressure, GPs are having to make difficult decisions regarding what specialist services they should refer patients to. The GP will consider the medical history of the patient and refer them to services they believe can help. They might send a referral to an NHS trust or an independent service.
A mental health specialist will examine the referral to determine if the referral is appropriate or not. If the specialist isn't pleased with the referral, they'll contact the GP to discuss their decision and explain the reason. They can also ask the GP for more information or to modify the referral.
The referral to a local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) can be made through the NHS e-Referral Service (e-RS). The system allows doctors and other healthcare professionals send patients to either a preliminary assessment for mental health or directly to an appointment. However, not all CMHTs offer both options and the system can't be used for every type of mental health referral.
A doctor may refer a patient to a community mental health specialist service (CMT). These are usually run either by an extensive hospital or a local healthcare organization. CMTs are an excellent option for those who have to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist but don't require inpatient treatment. They also provide an early intervention service where a psychiatrist works with a psychotherapist to assist a person overcome any crisis or improve the quality of their life.
One of the challenges that a CMT is to ensure that all suitable referrals are allocated within the appropriate timeframe. Many referrals are deemed urgent, even though they might not be. This can lead to delays and over-working for those who aren't in a crisis.
To address this issue, some CMHTs are trying to establish more uniform standards for what is considered an urgent referral. This was accomplished 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.