Mental Health in the UK
The responses revealed that mental health issues are viewed as 'illnesses affecting the brain and the mind'. They were viewed as distinct from other diseases, like cancer.
The British tradition of'stiff upper lips' means that many are still reluctant to seek help. Those with severe mental distress are sometimes sent out of the area to receive inpatient treatment.
Treatment
In the UK, mental health care is a part of the country's well-loved National Health Service (NHS), which brings quality free healthcare to all regardless of their income. This includes access to GPs, surgeries, and hospital stays. The NHS was established in 1948, and its mission is to provide top-quality medical care to the people of Britain.
However it is true that the NHS is not without challenges. Patients with mental health issues complain of long wait for appointments with an expert. The NHS must take action to ensure that patients receive prompt care. The NHS should also concentrate more on early intervention and prevention, which can help people who suffer from mental health issues avoid the more severe problems.
Any person can suffer from mental health issues at any time however, certain groups are more likely to suffer than others. These include women, young people, and those who are LGBTQIA+. Families with low incomes are more likely to suffer from mental illness.
People with mental health conditions like depression have a choice of treatment options. The NHS recommends a combination of self-help, talking therapies and medication. The dosage of the medication will depend on the kind of depression the patient is suffering from. The NHS may prescribe antidepressants to treat mild to moderate depression and anti-anxiety medication for severe anxiety disorders.
Stigma persists in the UK despite increased awareness about mental health issues. People are hesitant to seek treatment, and a lot do not receive the help they need. The NHS has been working to reduce stigma but there is more to be done. The stigma is particularly harmful to young people.
Mental health services must be adequately funded, as the current levels of investment aren't enough to meet demand. The BMA demands the government to invest more money in mental health services and to commit to ambitious and measurable targets for workforce growth. This includes a comprehensive and frequent collection of workforce information by NHS Digital, a plan to increase the number of mental health professionals and a set of measures that will help the current staff to keep them.
The following is a list of preventatives.
People with mental health issues have a variety of prevention options. Talking therapies (also called cognitive behavioral therapy) and psychiatric medications are available. Full Survey are offered by the NHS and certain local authorities in England. Many who use these services find them beneficial and they are often free.
It is essential to remember that most mental health conditions can be treated and patients can recover. Due to budget cuts, the NHS and many other organisations aren't able to provide these services to a growing demand. This has led to long waiting lists and sometimes delays in receiving the appropriate help and treatment.
Preventing mental illness is a crucial part of preventing it. This is especially important for young people who are more at risk of developing mental illnesses and are experiencing severe symptoms. GPs can be key to identifying and providing the best preventive treatment.
In the UK, the National Health Service places a high priority on the prevention of mental health problems. This is a system that was created in 1948 to provide quality, free healthcare to all. It covers mental health services along with access to a doctor and other medical treatments.
This system is under stress because of budget cuts however, it is a good system overall. It allows people to keep track of their health and talk about their mental health. This is extremely beneficial for those who have concerns or at greater risk of a mental illness. It also offers information and links to peer support services as well as self-management guidance.
There is also a focus on the prevention of suicide. It is a grave issue that is affecting people of all different ages, but is particularly prevalent amongst young people and is among the main causes of premature deaths in the UK. There is work to be done to reduce the number of suicides, and this includes training mental health professionals, improving the availability of community-based support and ensuring that people can get the help they need near to home.
Support
Anyone suffering from mental health can receive support and help. Contact the NHS helpline if experiencing difficulties or are worried about someone you know. The NHS website provides information on how to get help. You can dial the number 999 if someone is suffering from immediate danger. This will connect them with ambulance and police. Alternately, they can go to the A&E department at their local hospital where they will be viewed by healthcare specialists. They will treat any signs that are physical and alert the local mental health team.
Community mental health teams serve those who require more in-depth and specialized treatment. They could include psychiatrists, a nurse, an occupational therapist, psychologist and a care coordinator. If the person requires housing, food or financial assistance they can refer them to the local authority's social services. There are often long wait lists for appointments with consultants. This is an area that the government is seeking to improve.
The Mental Health Act allows for the hospitalization of a person if they are at risk of harming themselves or others. This is only available when the person is deemed to be in immediate danger of harm and a psychiatric assessment is done. The government is working to increase the accessibility and quality of this service.
Many people who suffer from mental health problems find that complementary and alternative therapies can be helpful. There are a myriad of charities that offer these kinds of treatments. Hub of Hope can help you find local assistance.
The long-term plan of the government aims to provide a comprehensive range of mental health services in England which includes emergency and crisis care. This includes adult crisis teams as well as home treatment teams. By 2021, every area will have a 24/7 service. A new universal 111 number will help people access emergency mental health services. Crisis solutions like safe havens and crisis cafes, that offer an alternative to A&E or inpatient admission to a psychiatric hospital. Specialized liaison mental health teams within A&E departments and general hospital wards to ensure that people are getting the right treatment for their mental and physical health.
The following resources are available to you:
For those suffering from mental health problems There are a variety of free and paid-for NHS services available to those who need them. This includes psychiatrists who provide evidence-based treatments, as psychologists, as well as social workers. Psychiatrists are medically trained and can prescribe medication and psychologists utilize talk therapy to help patients manage their illness.
Many people suffering from mental disorders are unable to get the assistance they need, and are often unsure where to start. There are a variety of charities that provide advice and support as well as specialist assistance. Samaritans and Place2Be are among the organizations that offer assistance and advice. Those who are struggling with depression or anxiety should try to get in touch with a psychotherapist. Those who are feeling suicidal should contact a suicide hotline or visit a crisis centre.
Despite some improvements in the mental health services provided by the NHS since the COVID-19 pandemic demand continues to outpace supply. Budget cuts have contributed to the problem. The NHS Long Term Plan includes plans to create a new ringfenced local investment fund worth at minimum PS2.3 billion a year by 2023/24. This is only a small portion of the overall NHS budget.
Despite these challenges, there is much that can be done to improve the quality of mental health services. JSNAs can be used to identify the primary mental health needs of a community and could be used to inform decisions about funding, service delivery and delivery. NHS England has produced a toolkit for mental health commissioners to assist in the development of local JSNAs and NHS Digital has a monthly database of mental health services, such as referrals to services as well as ward stays and other activities.
As a result of the pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of people referred to be assessed and treated. The pandemic has put more pressure on NHS mental healthcare services. In certain areas there is a deficiency of capacity, and patients are being sent away from their homes to receive care. This affects older people as well as children, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Public Health England has been monitoring population mental health throughout the pandemic employing a variety of close-to-real-time surveys, and is reporting that self-reported mental health has increased in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.