Involving a care coordinator

[knowinghowtobe]

So I've been under a psychiatrist, the crisis team, the home treatment team and the access team at various points during the last 6 months. Also ongoing input from psychological therapies. Things have been up and down, including a v bad patch where I refused to go to any appointments at all because everyone kept talking about sectioning me so I decided it was better to stop talking. My GP persuaded me to see the psychiatrist this week and I did. He's referring me to the CMHT to get a care-coordinator. What will this mean, why would he do this and will this mean even more scrutiny?

[Szeli]

I'm fighting to get my CC back atm. Lost her due to funding.

A CC as the name suggests coordinates your care, arranges your appointments and guides and assists you thru the day to days. I saw mine twice a week at first and eventually every other month

[Szeli]

I'm fighting to get my CC back atm. Lost her due to funding.

A CC as the name suggests coordinates your care, arranges your appointments and guides and assists you thru the day to days. I saw mine twice a week at first and eventually every other month

[knowinghowtobe]

So a positive then, I'm guessing. But will there be constant worry of getting sectioned?

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

A care coordinator in the trust I worked for was usually a senior nurse or OT who had a therapeutic relationship with the person, who wrote reports, arranged CPAs and generally co-ordinated the MDT, the main contact for other professionals and the person to deal with. Without a CC I would imagine things could get disorganised. I worked in a Low Secure setting so there would be a large support network for any our patients.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

No need to worry about being sectioned, I would go the other way and would say if you have a wobble they can organise extra visits and support to help you stay at home unless it was avoidable.

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

unavoidable

[Szeli]

Less likely to get sectioned with a CC imo as things should get picked up on and helped with before it reaches that stage.

They are effectively 'on call' to you during office hours (crisis team otherwise) and do home visits if needed. They are there to help you

[knowinghowtobe]

Thank you all. That is reassuring. I'm much more scared of being sectioned than I am of feeling suicidal. That has become normal state of affairs and I'm quite calm about it now, but not about being sectioned. Which, reading back, is probably why they're stepping things up...

[Szeli]

You know, I often think I wish I had been sectioned. The peace and the freedom to focus on me and getting me properly better rather than trying to do that whilst holding a family together but I've clawed myself back each time.
I used to be terrifyed of sectioning but now I think it offers the most wonderfully selfish opportunity to let go of the reins and all responsibility.
I've probably not made sense but what I'm trying to say is obviously don't try and get sectioned but if you do don't be thinking of it as a terrible thing, it may be a necessary thing to get you to be the best person you can be

[knowinghowtobe]

I would lose my job...it would upset my son...it would mean my family having to know what's going on...all bad things. And it wouldn't solve anything.

[knowinghowtobe]

But thank you - I do know what you're trying to say. to you too.

[Szeli]

A care coordinator will be able to help you thru all these concerns.

Social services got involved with me at one point over concerns for my ability to parent my son after an episode.

My CC laughed at them "He is a happy and healthy boy and Szeli despite her issues is a wonderful mum, I think you really have the wrong end of the stick here." They closed the case straight away.

Having someone to fight you corner is a massive help, honestly

[knowinghowtobe]

That sounds good. Just not keen on talking to yet another stranger

[mammabmamma]

A care coordinator, or a CPN (Community practice nurse) is a mental health worker who's main focus is providing support and care to someone in the community to keep them at home. They offer help and guidance, and most importantly, they communicate with the GP, arrange any appointments with a psychologist or psychiatrist, tell you of any groups, help arrange your care. They are your main point of call should you need something.