What help for mental illness?

Ames

Hi all.

For the last few weeks I've been a patient at the intensive crisis day unit at the psych hospital. I've got a meeting on Tuesday about what support I'll get when I'm discharged. I don't really know what help and support's out there though. So I wondered what services and support other people get so I can have some ideas of what to ask for.

TIA

System

I had a CPN who i saw weekly (since been discharged from her), and an Occupational Therapist (who was naff all use and just liked making lists), and i have a psychitrist who at the minute i see every few months (but did see more often when things were worse). I've had their involvement for about 2 years so far.

Ames

Thanks. I was told originally I'd have a cpn but today I was told it'll be a social worker. Apparently they don't provide cpns long term. I'll ask about an OT, and I think they said I'll be put on the waiting list for psychology.

ETA I'll ask about psychiatry too.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Hi, I'm currently an inpatient and when I am in the community I have a social worker who I see probably once a week and a psychiatrist (not sure how often). When I have been discharged before sometimes they place you under the home treatment team for a while. I had the choice of going inpatient at The Cassel hospital in Richmond or doing DBT in the community. At the moment I have chosen to do DBT so currently being referred for that.

Ames

Yeah I'll be on home based treatment for a few weeks after discharge. What's DBT? I've not heard of it before.

Sugar_Coated_Owl

DBT is dialectical behaviour therapy. It's for people suffering from things like self-harm and suicidal thoughts and generally have a diagnosis of BPD.

cattie

In my Primary care trust, cpn's are available for both long and short term commitments. I've recently been discharged from mine after seeing him for over 5yrs. The support he gave me has been invaluable.

If I got into a bad crisis again I would again be referred to a cpn, but in the meantime I see my psychiatrist regularly and can present at the local crisis cmht unit at any time I feel I need to be seen urgently.

Some areas have better services than others as far as mental health go and I think mine are one of the better ones.

Ames

It sounds like mine are one of the worst then

It's not a PCT it's a foundation partnership, I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

I checked again today, and tomorrow I meet my community care co-ordinator (probably a social worker rather than CPN), who'll give me support for a few weeks.

Then I think I just go back to no long term help and support other than a list of phone numbers - usually it's the Samaritans that's recommended.

I've been promised lots of referrals while I've been in the unit, although I then found out that the unit doesn't have the ability to make them. So I'll ask about them, but I've been told that they probably wont be accepted.

At least I got the meds review I've been asking for for nearly a year. So at least I got something out of the last four weeks.

jackieb

My son had a CPN but got discharged when he turned 18. Took a while as he's now almost 20 but he now has a social worker who he sees once a fortnight at the moment. He also sees a psychiatrist about once a month.

cattie

If there is a branch of MIND in your area, check out if they have drop in centre days. They usually have support staff & also counsellors and run various self help groups to help participants.

There is usually an advocacy worker available to help with benefit claims as well should you need help in that direction.

Ames

I've got a fantastic welfare rights officer who's helping with the DLA appeal.

I'll try and find out what MIND offers and when I can go for drop in things.

Thanks again for all the advice.