| The community mental heath team are there to help | | | | The Key Worker |
| those who are suffering from mental health problems. | | | | People suffering from mental health problems will |
| The first port of call for anyone who thinks that they | | | | usually be assigned a key worker, which can be |
| are suffering from some kind of mental health problem | | | | anyone in the community mental health team. The main |
| is your doctor who will be able to recommend the right | | | | responsibility of the key worker is to make sure that |
| sort of help. | | | | the individual is getting all the help he or she needs. |
| The community mental health team consists of a | | | | They will regularly assess the progress of an individual |
| number of professionals who are trained in their | | | | and report back to the rest of the team. |
| specific areas and can include psychiatrists, | | | | Community Psychiatric Nurse or CPN |
| psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, | | | | The key worker will often be a CPN who will usually |
| and of course the community psychiatric nurse or | | | | make regular visits to people with mental health |
| CPN. Some specific problems or issues that can arise | | | | problems in their own homes. They offer an important |
| in addition to existing mental health problems or which | | | | lifeline for people who are feeling isolated and alone |
| can exacerbate or trigger mental health problems and | | | | with their mental health problems or who are |
| which might need extra consideration include: | | | | experiencing particular difficulties. They are aware of |
| - Financial problems | | | | the many issues surrounding mental health and can |
| - Physical disabilities | | | | listen as well as help people talk through their problems |
| - Housing issues | | | | in a setting in which they feel comfortable. |
| - Divorce or relationship problems | | | | The CPN will liaise with and work closely with other |
| - Childcare issues | | | | members of the team to make sure that any practical |
| Certain kinds of mental health problems may result in | | | | support and assistance is offered when needed. They |
| different needs and may therefore require some | | | | will assess the individual regularly and will discuss with |
| specialist help to deal with and these can include: | | | | them the effectiveness of their medication and any |
| - Elderly depression and dementia | | | | side effects they might be experiencing. The family |
| - Child or Teen depression | | | | and loved ones of a person suffering from mental |
| - Postnatal depression | | | | health problems often need additional support in order |
| - Bipolar disorder | | | | to understand mental illness and to be able to cope |
| - Schizophrenia | | | | with it, the CPN can offer practical advice and |
| Obviously, finding one person fully qualified and skilled in | | | | guidance. |
| all of these areas just isn't possible so the community | | | | Occupational Therapists |
| mental health team work together in order to ensure | | | | Occupational therapists help individuals to cope with |
| that the best advice and support is available as many | | | | practical issues on a day to day basis in areas such |
| of the professionals involved will be trained in specialist | | | | as dressing, toileting and feeding themselves and can |
| areas that allow them to offer a better service to | | | | help individuals regain some control of their lives. |
| people suffering from specific problems. So what sort | | | | Social workers |
| of people make up the mental health team? | | | | Social workers can ensure that an individual gets |
| Psychiatrist | | | | access to various social services that will improve their |
| Patients can be referred to a psychiatrist by their | | | | quality of life and that they may be entitled to such as |
| doctor. After an initial assessment, the psychiatrist will | | | | home help, respite care and perhaps admission to day |
| recommend a suitable course of treatment and | | | | or residential centres. They can also offer assistance |
| medication. If a mental health problem is particularly | | | | in dealing with housing needs, financial difficulties or |
| severe then they are also able to recommend that the | | | | other social problems. |
| individual be detained in hospital for a period of time. | | | | The best care |
| However, this is a last resort and also requires the | | | | Many other people can be involved in the community |
| approval of another doctor and a social worker who | | | | mental health team including various support workers, |
| all agree that this is the best option for an individual | | | | therapists, counsellors, and of course loved ones. |
| concerned either for the individual's safety or for the | | | | Together they all make sure that the individual |
| safety of others. | | | | suffering from mental illness gets the best care |
| Psychologist | | | | possible. Each team member can make a valuable |
| Psychologists have an understanding of human | | | | contribution to the individual's quality of life and can help |
| behaviour, emotions and how the mind works and | | | | them not only to cope with their illness on a day to day |
| although they cannot prescribe medication they can | | | | basis but to regain control over their lives and integrate |
| offer various types of psychological therapies. Patients | | | | with the rest of the community in a positive and |
| can be referred to them by the doctor or other | | | | productive way. |
| members of the community health team. | | | | |