Mental health – introduction and help
Updated July 2006
Mental health problems in the older person tend to mirror those in younger people and can range from everyday worries and concerns to the most serious depression and even contemplation of suicide (for further information please see ‘Attempted suicide and suicide’). Society as a whole often does not recognise or acknowledge the importance of mental health, particularly in the older person.
Physical health often takes precedence. Individuals of any age, however, can help themselves achieve good mental health in various ways, including:
- making time to do the things we enjoy
- taking moderate, regular physical exercise
- cutting back on addictive substances such as nicotine, alcohol and caffeine
- developing and sustaining friendships and relationships
- remembering and celebrating the things we like about ourselves
- keeping things in perspective
- listening to and respecting other people
- asking for help if we feel depressed or upset
- listening to other people who say they are depressed or upset.[see reference 1]
Beyond this individual and informal approach there are a number of different organisations and agencies who provide mental health services within the UK, including:
- the National Health Service which provides nationwide healthcare
- local authority social services
- voluntary organisations on both the national and local scale which often provide information and advocacy services
- organisations of a commercial nature.
(i) General practitioners
Local GP surgeries provide primary level healthcare for all kinds of problems, including those related to mental health. Most people experiencing problems such as stress or anxiety are helped directly by their GP who may provide advice and information or prescribe medication. They may also refer patients to a specialist, secondary mental health service, either to an outpatients clinic, or to the local community mental health team (CMHT).
(ii) Community mental health team (CMHT)
CMHT members include community psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, doctors and support staff who are responsible for supporting the vast majority of people with mental health problems in the UK. Further information is available from the Royal College of Psychiatrists website.
(iii) Hospitals
Individual psychiatric hospital services have been progressively and considerably scaled down over the last 30 years.[see reference 2] Nowadays, hospitals, community mental health services and social services aim to be as integrated as possible in order to provide effective coordination of services.
(iv) Day hospitals
Day hospitals are staffed by nurses and occupational therapists, and are designed to provide a high level of support and a range of activities. Patients are usually given a ‘programme’ with a set number of days to attend specific therapeutic activities to do.
(v) Social services and voluntary agencies
Since the introduction of the Community Care Act in 1990, both social services and various voluntary agencies provide or assist in providing housing, employment schemes and welfare rights advisory centres. Access to some of these services can often be complex and may need additional input from the CMHT or a voluntary advocate.
(vi) Residential facilities
These include staffed care houses, hostels and supported housing schemes whose services are targeted at the specific needs of the individual.
(vii) Day centres and drop-in centres
These provide meeting points and a social outlet for individuals and are often run by both social services and voluntary organisations.
(viii) Welfare rights advice
Welfare rights advice is offered at Law Centres, Citizens Advice Bureaux, hospital based Welfare Rights Units as well as some benefits agencies and voluntary organisations.
References:
[1] Mental Health Foundation - What is mental health?
[2] Mental Health Foundation - Mental health services in the United Kingdom
Further information:
- Department of Health - Mental health, including National Service Framework
- Department of Health - Mental health law, including developments on the Mental Health Bill
- Law Society
- NHS Direct Online - Mental health
- NHS Direct Online - Mental health services
- Primary Care Trusts (UK)
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Royal College of Psychiatrists - Older people