People who are mentally ill or recovering from mental illness should, through Care in the Community, be able to receive appropriate care from the right people in the right setting.

The NHS and social services

As part of the Care Programme Approach, teams of specialists work with people with mental illness to agree the programme of care that they need. The patient is supported by their own key worker and both users and carers are involved in the process as much as possible. The teams are made up of professionals from the NHS and social services and may include psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists as well as workers from voluntary organisations.

Community Mental Health Nurses are trained in counselling as well as caring, rehabilitation and medication supervision to support individuals and often their families at home.

Social workers are able to assess mental health problems, understand how social circumstances affect them and advise, help and support individuals and their families.

Psychologists work in partnership with individual people, groups and staff to develop an understanding and treatment of problems.

Psychiatrists are doctors whose specialist training equips them to assess and treat mental disorders using therapy and drugs.

Occupational therapists can help people develop the skills they need to live independently and to get back to or cope with work.

The settings

There is now a broad range of settings where people can find support and treatment. Psychiatric services used to be provided only in hospitals or out-patient departments. Now, when mentally ill people need short-term hospital care, they can often receive it locally, usually in the District General Hospital. When they need longer-term care, homely surroundings can now be provided which balances a person’s need for independence with individual support.

At home where possible, help and support are provided by the mental health team in the home of the mentally ill person.

Day hospitals provide an alternative to in-patient care even for people who are quite ill. People attend during the day, returning home at night.

Acute units when patients are particularly unwell, a psychiatric unit’s protective environment helps treat them and re-establish them in the community. They can also be places of sanctuary for vulnerable patients and offer respite to carers.

Community Mental health and Resource Centres Some areas have a local base where people can meet members of the community mental health team.

Other centres which meet long-term needs include; day centres, drop-in centres, group homes/flats, residential care homes, nursing homes (some of which may involve a charge).

Your GP is the first person who can provide help for you or a relative and, if necessary put you in touch with the community mental health team or a voluntary organisation.

Your social services department is an alternative first step, if you wish. Ask for a mental health worker.

Voluntary organisations

The Alzheimer’s Disease Society is the leading care and research charity for people with dementia. It provides information, education, support, day and care home, on a regional basis as part of a national network. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for greater public understanding. Tel: 0207 306 0606

Alzheimer’s Scotland - Action on Dementia runs over 40 specialist services, including carer education, advocacy and home support for people with dementia, their carers and families. Tel: 0131 243 1453; helpline: 0800 317 817

The Manic Depression Fellowship provides support, advice and information for people with manic depression, their families, friends and carers. There are regional offices in Greater London, Wales, Manchester and Scotland, and a network of 16 self-help groups.

Tel: 0208 974 6550

MIND is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales, and works for a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Activities include: an information line, a legal advice line, a legal network, a variety of publications (over 100 of which are available on-line), the bi-monthly OpenMind magazine, a conferences and training programme. Mind has more than 200 affiliated local associations providing a range of mental health services - from housing and day centres to self-help and advocacy groups. Tel: 0208 519 2122; Mindinfoline: 0208 522 1728/08457 660 163.
http://www.mind.org.uk/

www.wellnessdevon.co.uk
A website created for the people of Devon to promote mental wellbeing, containing local support contact details, downloadable resources and links to other helpful websites.
Website - http://www.wellnessdevon.co.uk/

National Schizophrenia Fellowship (NSF) is the national voluntary organisation for people with severe mental illness, their families and carers. It has over 7,000 members, 170 local carer and user support groups and 300 community care projects, ranging from drop-in centres and accommodation schemes to employment initiatives. Tel: 0208 547 3937

Richmond Fellowship is a charity and housing association with over 60 projects in the UK, providing care and rehabilitation to enable people with mental health, learning disabilities, addiction and other problems to live in the community. It runs long and short-stay residential facilities, work schemes, day centres, advocacy and community outreach projects. The Training and Consultancy Service offers a wide range of training options for its own and external staff involved in mental health and human relations work.

Tel: 020 7697 3300

SANE campaigns for greater awareness and understanding of serious mental illness, pioneers new care projects and funds research. Its helpline, SANELINE, is run by trained volunteers offering emotional support to people suffering from mental illness, their families, friends and interested professionals.
http://www.sane.org.uk/  Meeting the Challenge of Mental Illness
Tel: 0207 724 6520; SANELINE 0345 678 000 (6pm - 11pm)

Scottish Association for Mental Health is Scotland’s national organisation addressing the development of services for mental health and mental illness and providing information and education on issues. Tel: 0141 568 7000

WorkNet: Putting mental health on the employment agenda : http://www.mindworknet.org.uk/

MI - 1 Mental Illness - what does it mean ?

MI - 4 Mental Illness - Can children and young people have mental health problems ?Mental Illness - Sometimes I think I can’t go on anymore…..Mental Illness - A guide to mental health in the workplaceMental Illness - Mental health and older peopleMental Illness - What can you do about itThe Patient’s Charter - Mental Health ServicesBuilding Bridges Executive Summary (Health of the Nation)The Spectrum of Care - Local Services for People with Mental Health ProblemsFree of charge from : Department of Health, PO Box 410, Wetherby LS23 7LNMental Health - Towards a Better Understanding, from Mental Illness, Po Box 643, Bristol