|
MindinfoLine FAQ
I'm worried about myself
If you experience mental distress, it can be frightening and you may feel alone. You may be worried about what others may think of you.
If you have experienced similar symptoms before you may be concerned about how you will be treated by others due to negative previous experiences. However, you will also know what does and does not help you and your circumstances based on that previous experience. Tell someone you trust what it is that helps you and allow them to help you get the help that will best suit you. If you have experienced mental distress you may want to draw up a crisis card which you can give to people you trust. You can draw up a plan of action in the card for the trusted person or people to follow if you start to show signs that you have said indicate that you may need help.
Back to top
How can I approach someone displaying signs of mental distress?
Someone who is experiencing acute mental distress will often be feeling extremely anxious and frightened and may be agitated. Approach them gently and quietly, providing reassurance that you want to help and do not pose any threat. It can be very frightening to see someone behaving strangely, but try to remain calm yourself by focusing on how you want to support the person. Ask how you can help - often the person will know what does and doesn't help in a given situation.
People who are experiencing mental health distress are far more likely to pose a risk to themselves than to other people, but there are occasions when they may be violent. If you have reason to think that the person may attack you or hurt themselves, do not approach, but call for professional help. There are sections of the Mental Health Act which enable professionals to go into someone's house or to take charge of a situation in a public place.
See Mind rights guide 1: Civil admission to hospital
Back to top
What do I do if my friend/relative is displaying signs of mental distress?
If someone close to you becomes mentally distressed, it's likely to provoke strong feelings in you. It can be painful to see them suffering, and it can also be frightening to be with someone who is feeling desperate or acting strangely. It can disrupt life and, sometimes, people find themselves in a caring role they have not chosen. There can be a positive side too. A crisis can bring people together, giving them a chance to express love and affection in a way that has not been possible before. In many cases, people will have the pleasure and relief of seeing their friend or relative make a recovery. It's easier to support someone well if the caring role is shared with others. Finding someone to talk to about the situation and how it is affecting you is important. If your friend or relative has been given an assessment, you may be entitled to have your needs as a carer assessed and taken into account.
See Understanding mental illness
Back to top
How can I help my friend/relative?
If the person close to you is asking for help, try and talk to them about what he or she feels would be the most helpful thing for you to do. If the person has experienced similar episodes in the past, that experience will allow him or her to know what is and is not helpful. Your assistance may be needed in practical help such as making a telephone call to a key worker or other person, or by going with the person to their General Practitioner or mental health centre. You will also help by just being with there for the friend or relative. Do not get caught up in their distress but try to keep yourself and the person focussed on positive things and day to day realities.
See Understanding mental illness: What can friends and relatives do to help?
Back to top
What can I do if a friend/relative will not seek help?
Some people, even when experiencing severe mental distress may not ask for help and even reject any suggestion of help. You may need to make the decision to contact professionals, especially if you think that the person may be a danger to themselves or someone else. You can contact local social services to ask for a Mental Health Act assessment, which would involve an Approved Social Worker.
See Carers factsheet: Mental Health Assessments
Back to top
What can I do if it is an emergency?
If you or someone close to you is in crisis and is strongly against involving any medical services, there may be an alternative crisis service in their area. See Mind's Crisis services factsheet for a list of local services. The factsheet includes both National Health Service (NHS) and alternative services.
See Crisis services factsheet
Back to top
Can anyone ask for a mental health assessment?
A Mental Health Act assessment may result in a person being taken into hospital against their will. It is preferable if a person in mental distress can get help without involving social services, unless they are an immediate danger to themselves or others. It may be possible to get an emergency appointment with a General Practitioner (GP), or to get the GP to visit. It may be useful for the carer, family member of friend of the person experiencing mental distress to have help in attending or setting up these appointments. Ask the person who is in distress how you can best help. A person experiencing a mental health crisis may go to accident and emergency department of the local hospital, just as someone would do if acutely physically ill.
See Carers factsheet: Can I request an assessment?
Back to top
What does it mean to be sectioned?
Most patients in hospital wards may leave when they wish, and their consent must be obtained before treatment is given. The same applies to most patients who are in hospital for psychiatric treatment. However, the Mental Health Act 1983 allows some people to be detained. When this happens, they are called ‘detained' patients and their consent to treatment may no longer be required. This is often known as being 'sectioned'.
See Mind rights guide 1: Civil admission to hospital: What is sectioning?
Back to top
Do I have to go to my General Practitioner (GP) to get help for mental distress?
Your GP is your first point of contact if you wish to access medical services either National Health Service (NHS) or private. Your GP can also refer you for talking treatments such as counselling. There are a number of private and voluntary organisations offering services that can help.
See Community care 1 - The spectrum of mental health services
Back to top
What treatments are there available for mental distress?
There are many different treatments for mental distress. There are also things people can do that can help themselves, and some of these can be accessed outside of the National Health Service (NHS).
Different activities that can be helpful for people recovering from mental distress include medication, talking treatments such as counselling, self-help groups and complementary therapies. A change in lifestyle in terms of diet and exercise, spirituality, yoga, Tai-Chi, meditation, self-confidence or assertiveness courses, and natural herbal remedies can also make a difference.
See Factsheets and booklets by subject
Back to top
How and where can I find a counsellor? Will I have to pay?
Mind's booklet Making sense of counselling has a list of useful organisations at the end that will help you find a counsellor. Most counsellor will charge a fee but these may be on a sliding scale according to your means - ask when you make contact.
See Making sense of counselling: How can I find a counsellor
Back to top
How can I complain about the treatment I have received from NHS?
Mind's legal briefing describes how you can make a complaint about your medical treatment. The briefing note covers the following:
- complaints against Hospital Trusts and Primary Care Trusts
- the role of the Health Service Commissioner
- Patient Advice and Liaison Services
- the functions of the Mental Health Act Commission
- complaints to the General Medical Council and other professional bodies
- other procedures.
See Legal briefing: Complaining about medical treatments
Back to top
How can I complain about the lack of support I have received from social services?
You can make a formal complaint to social services if you don't agree with the result of your assessment, or if you have been waiting for one for an unreasonable length of time. Afterwards, if you are still not satisfied, you can take it to the Healthcare Commission, and possibly after that to the Ombudsman if you believe it has not been handled fairly.
See Mind rights guide 6: Community care and aftercare: What can I do if I disagree about my care services?
|