| Maybe it's because medical science has made such | | | | for the patient. Sometimes just have a friendly and |
| progress in recent decades but there is now a great | | | | knowledgeable professional call can make a huge |
| deal of awareness about our health in general and our | | | | difference to the patient. |
| mental health in particular. Our media outlets are often | | | | Then there are psychiatrists and psychologists. The |
| discussing things like depression, dementia and bipolar | | | | psychiatrist can prescribe medication if it is deemed |
| conditions. Why? Have they only recently begun to | | | | suitable and treat a patient in hospital for whatever |
| occur? Or is it more likely that medical science is far | | | | mental health issue is occurring. The psychologist is |
| better able today to examine and understand the | | | | concerned about the behavior of a person with a |
| human body and its brain? | | | | mental health issue. How is that person going about |
| The family doctor, your GP, is always an excellent first | | | | their daily activities and how are they relating to family |
| port of call if you have any concerns about your | | | | and others? A psychologist may prescribe a form of |
| mental health or that of a family member. But | | | | therapy to help the patient. |
| nowadays there are several health professionals who | | | | The last person but by no means the least is a social |
| work mainly or exclusively with patients who have | | | | worker. This man or woman can be a vital cog in the |
| mental health concerns. | | | | treatment program of anyone with a mental health |
| We know so much about depression today and how it | | | | issue. The social worker will know which resources |
| can have a major impact on the health and well-being | | | | are available and how to approach various funding |
| of all sorts of people. Even children and certainly | | | | sources if that is required. They can make house visits |
| teenagers can be affected by mood swings, intense | | | | and form a link between the health professional and |
| sadness and what is often referred to as depression. | | | | the patient. |
| Treatment through therapy, medication and lifestyle | | | | Sometimes a person's brain is not working as it should |
| changes can have a profound influence for good | | | | and this can impact upon their physical activity. This is |
| helping people overcome their difficulties. | | | | where another health professional is most helpful. An |
| There are several health professional working in the | | | | occupational therapist works with brain injury patients |
| mental health area and they are as follows. | | | | and others helping them to regain their motor skills and |
| A psychiatric nurse is usually someone who can visit a | | | | resume some, most or all of their previous routines. |
| patient in their own home. For those who have mobility | | | | Residential treatment centers will have all of the above |
| problems this is a huge help. The nurse will be well | | | | health professionals or know where you can find one. |
| aware of the various symptoms of different mental | | | | Take advantage of the many highly skilled and |
| health problems and can check on medication and any | | | | knowledgeable people working in the field of mental |
| other treatment options which have been prescribed | | | | health. |