When supporting someone with a mental health condition, it can be overwhelming not knowing who to turn to for the right support at the right time. Here we would like to offer you the right direction on where to go for that support and how to access it.
If you or the person you are supporting is starting to experience symptoms of a mental health condition the first point of contact is usually the GP.
It is important to understand that there are many different symptoms, signs and levels of symptoms when it involves psychological or behavioral concerns. For some the onset of the signs and symptoms may be slow or rapid and the presentation of these symtoms can be mild or severe. Due to this, we would suggest a discussion with the GP first the first instance.
For some, Speaking to a GP can feel daunting, especially if the individual hasn’t yet come to terms with having a mental health condition or it is the first time they have shared it with someone.
Speaking to a GP is an important first step in accessing support as a they will be able to:
- Rule out other reasons for the symptoms or changes in behaviour (such as an infection, a hormone imbalance, a vitamin deficiency, stress due to environmental changes or a reaction to medication)
- Diagnose common mental health conditions
- Make referrals to mental health specialists
- Offer support or treatments (where appropriate)
- Signpost the individual and their family/friends to local support
As a carer, you may be able to accompany them to this appointment (with their permission) and talk through some of the symptoms you have noticed. Some carers have also found it helpful to make a note of some of their concerns or the changes in behaviour they have observed to hand to the doctor to read (rather than discussing).
Who may be supporting us?
After initial conversations with the GP, additional support will most likely be offered, through different teams and programmes. As a carer you will want to have an understanding of who the teams are and what their role is and their support remit.
One way to access support is by being referred to a Community Mental Health Team through a person’s GP. These NHS teams are made up of mental health specialists and other medical professionals who offer a wide range of support. They are designed to help individuals improve their mental health at home or out in the community. Teams may include a:
- Community Psychiatric Nurse
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Community support worker
- Occupational therapist, and/or
- Social worker
These teams may also work with other community teams such as Crisis Resolution Teams, Home Treatment Teams and Drug & Alcohol Services to offer the best support. Teams will offer slightly different things in each hospital trust area, so it is worth looking on the NHS website to find out more.
To help keep the process simple, one professional from the team will be assigned the care coordinator. This person will liaise between the individual, their carer(s) and the medical professionals involved.
In urgent cases, a GP may also connect an individual with a Mental Health Crisis Team. These teams work in the community rather than in a hospital setting, offering medication and regular visits on a short term basis to prevent them from being hospitalised. They may also provide support after someone has been discharged from hospital.
When someone’s mental health condition manifests in episodes of psychosis, the GP can also refer someone to an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Team. They are NHS teams of specialists who focus on implementing treatment quickly and reducing the probability of relapse after the first episode.
Single Point of Access is a service which signposts and directs individuals to the most relevant mental health services based on their needs. It is run by each hospital trust and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They work closely with local organisations and services to be able to support individuals in their recovery. Anyone (including carers) can call these services for advice and guidance at any time.
The Care Programme Approach is a package of support which is offered to individuals who might need more support with day-to-day life. This is offered to individuals for a variety of reasons including:
- The individual has a severe mental health condition
- They are at risk of suicide, self-harm or harming others
- They have a history of self-harm or violence
- The individual struggles to meet their needs or self-neglects as a part of their condition
- They rely on a carer for day-to-day support (including unpaid family carers)
- They have a learning disability
- They are more vulnerable due to drug or alcohol use
All individuals with a mental health condition are entitled to an assessment of their needs. This is carried about by a medical professional who will create a care plan to be overseen by a care coordinator. This can be accessed through their GP, mental health consultant or community team.
As part of the NHS’ Long Term Plan, they are replacing the Care Programme Approach with the Community Mental Health Framework. This is currently in pilot stage in 12 areas but will be rolled out nationally.
This is the new NHS Model for supporting individuals with mental health conditions within their community. It is a part of the NHS Long Term Plan and replaces the Care Programme Approach.
The Community Mental Health Framework is a new approach which enables a package of health support, care and treatment to be provided to individuals with a mental health condition out in the community.
More information on this will be added as it is released by the NHS and rolled out.
When exploring support options for someone with a mental health condition, it can be helpful to think about other types of support available, besides the support offered by the NHS. This may look like:
- Listening services or helplines (Samaritans)
- Talking therapies accessed privately or through a charity
- Befriending and peer to peer support
- Support groups
- Activities for wellbeing
- Developing self-care strategies
- College or university wellbeing teams
- Through a work employee wellbeing scheme
Whilst thinking about support for the person you care for, it is just as important to think about support for you too. Consider the following:
- Register with us as a carer
- Read through our article on caring for your own mental health
- Access peer support through our online community and peer support groups
If you think the person you care for is at risk of harming themselves or others, you can:
- Call 999 (if someone’s life is at risk)
- Take the person you care for to your local A&E
- Call your local NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline
If you need urgent support for someone but it is not an emergency you can
- Call 111 (who can talk through the options)
- Ask for an urgent GP appointment for the individual
- Call your local Mental Health Crisis Team for advice and guidance
- Encourage them to call a listening service such as the Samaritans
If you would like more information about the teams and a guide to who is who, a download is available here.