20 Things You Need To Know About Mental Health

Mental Health in the UK The responses highlighted the fact that people view mental health problems as “mind-related illnesses” or 'problems with the brain and mind'. They were seen as different from other illnesses, such as cancer. However, Britain's'stiff upper lips culture means that a lot of people still are reluctant to seek treatment for their conditions. Certain people who suffer from severe mental illness may be referred to inpatient treatment outside of their area. Treatment Mental health treatment in the UK is part of the National Health Service, which offers free healthcare of high quality to all regardless of income. This includes access to GPs, surgeries and hospitalization. The NHS was established in 1948 and its mission is bringing quality medical care to all people in Britain. The NHS is not without its challenges, however. Many patients suffering from mental health issues complain of long waiting times to visit a specialist. The NHS needs to address this issue and ensure that patients are seen in a timely manner. The NHS should also be focusing more on prevention and early interventions which can help patients who suffer from mental health issues avoid the more severe problems. Anyone can be affected by mental health issues at any moment however certain groups are more likely to be affected more than others. This includes young people, women and LGBTQIA+. Families with low incomes are more likely to suffer from mental illness. A variety of treatment options are available to people who have mental health issues, such as depression. The NHS recommends self-help, talking therapy as well as medication. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the kind of depression that a person is suffering from. The NHS may prescribe antidepressants to treat mild to moderate depression, as well as anti-anxiety medications for those suffering from severe anxiety disorders. The stigma persists in the UK despite the growing awareness of mental health issues. Many people are hesitant to seek help and fail to get the support they require. The NHS has been working to lessen the stigma, but more needs to be done. The stigma is particularly harmful for young people. Mental health services need to be adequately funded, as the current investment levels are not enough to meet demand. The BMA demands the government to invest more money in mental health services and to set ambitious and quantifiable goals for the expansion of the workforce. This should include a robust and frequent collection of data on the workforce by NHS Digital, an action plan to attract more clinicians to mental health, and meaningful measures to retain existing staff. Prevention People suffering from mental health issues can avail many options for prevention. Talking therapies (also known as cognitive behavioral therapy) and psychiatric medicines are available. These services are provided by the NHS and some local authorities in England. These services are usually free and very helpful to many people. It is important to keep in mind that mental health issues can be treated and patients can recover. Due to cuts in funding, the NHS as well as other organizations are unable to provide these services in response to a rising demand. This has resulted in long waiting lists and sometimes delays in receiving the proper aid and treatment. One of the most important aspects for prevention is to stop a mental illness from developing in the beginning. This is particularly important for young people who are at greater risk of developing mental illnesses and experiencing severe symptoms. The GP can be crucial in finding and providing the appropriate preventive treatment. In the UK there is a strong emphasis on providing preventive care for mental health problems as part of the National Health Service. The system was established in 1948 to provide high-quality, free health care to all. It covers mental health services along with access to a doctor and other medical treatments. The system is under stress due to budget cuts in the government. But, it's a great system in general. It gives people a regular check-in to discuss their mental health, which can be extremely helpful for those who are concerned or are at greater risk of developing a mental health issue. It also offers information and links to peer support services and self-management tips. There is also a focus on preventing suicide. This is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, but it is especially prevalent among young people and is among the leading causes of premature deaths in the UK. There is work to be done in reducing the number of suicides, and this includes training mental health professionals and enhancing the accessibility of community-based help and ensuring that people can get the help they need near to home. Support Anyone with mental health issues can seek help and support. If online mental assessment experiencing problems or are worried about someone you know, you can reach the NHS helplines. The NHS website has details of how to access services. You can call 999 if someone is in immediate harm. This will connect them to police and ambulance services. They can also visit the local hospital's A&E department, where they'll receive medical attention from health experts. They will treat any signs that are physical and notify the local mental health team. Patients who require more in-depth and specialized treatment are sent to community mental health teams. These teams could comprise psychiatrists, a nurse, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, and a coordinator of care. If a person is in need of housing, food, or money assistance they may refer them to the local authority's social services. There are often long wait lists for appointments with consultants. This is an area that the government is seeking to improve. The Mental Health Act allows for an individual to be admitted to a hospital in the event of a risk of harming them or others. This is only available when the person is deemed to be at risk of harm and a psychiatric assessment is carried out. The government is working to increase the accessibility and quality of this service. Many people suffering from mental health issues find that complementary and alternative therapies can be helpful. There are many charities that offer these kinds of treatments. You can go to Hub of Hope to search for a clinic in your area. The long-term strategy of the government is to provide a comprehensive range of mental health services in England which includes acute and crisis care. This includes adult crisis and home treatment teams, making sure each area has a 24-hour service by 2021. A new universal 111 number will make it easier to access urgent mental health care. Crisis alternatives, such as safe refuges and crisis cafes which offer a different option to A&E or inpatient admission for psychiatric patients. Specialized liaison mental health teams in A&E departments and general hospital wards to ensure that people receive the proper treatment for their mental as well as physical health. Resources For those with mental health problems There are a variety of paid and free NHS services accessible to patients. They include psychiatrists who employ evidence-based treatments, as psychologists and social work professionals. Psychiatrists are trained medically and are able to prescribe medications as well as psychologists employ therapy through talk to help patients manage their illness. Many people who suffer from mental health problems struggle to find the help they need, and aren't sure where to go. In addition to specialist assistance, there are a number of charities that provide assistance and advice. Samaritans and Place2Be are among the organizations which can provide assistance and advice. People who suffer from depression or anxiety are advised to contact with a therapy. Those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts should call a suicide hotline or go to an emergency center. Despite some improvements in the mental health services provided by the NHS following the COVID-19 Pandemic demand continues to outpace supply. Budget cuts have only exacerbated the issue. The NHS Long Term Plan includes plans to establish a new local investment fund that is ringfenced and worth at minimum PS2.3 billion per year by 2023/24. But, this is only a small percentage of the total NHS expenditure. Despite these challenges There is still a lot that can be done to improve the quality of mental health services. JSNAs can be used to determine the most pressing mental health needs of a community, and can be used to guide the decisions regarding funding, service provision and delivery. NHS England has produced a toolkit for mental health commissioners to support the creation of local JSNAs and NHS Digital has a monthly data set on mental health services, which includes referrals to services, ward stays and other activities. The pandemic has caused an increase in the number people referred for treatment and assessment. This has put more pressure on NHS mental health services and a deficiency of capacity in several areas means that patients are sent far from home for treatment. This is also affecting older people as well as children, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Public Health England has been monitoring the health of the population throughout the entire pandemic, using a range of close-to-real-time surveys, and is reporting that the self-reported state of mental health has increased in comparison to levels prior to the pandemic.