Referred to Mental Health team, please help.

[Grockle]

What happens? Who will I see? What will they do? Will SS be notified? (am lone parent)

Obviously, I should have asked GP but it was all a bit quick and I didn't think to ask.

[Grockle]

Community, I think not crisis. I'm ok and DS is not in danger. I'm just fed up with things and my GP seems to be at a loss. It's just a bit scary. I want to feel better but am tired of fighting.

I'm glad its been useful for you. Thank you for your help.

[GetDownYouWillFall]

YY to all Loopy has said. They will assess you, and you will probably be assigned a CPN. You will see a psychiatrist periodically usually every 3 months but more frequently at first whilst they stabilise you on medication.

Please don't be scared of social services, they have the best interest of children at heart, and clearly it's best your DC stay with you. The CMHT will give you support and refer where appropriate, but you will be kept informed. It's best to be completely open and honest with them, then they will know you are working with them and not against them, which will be a much better, more trusting relationship all round.

Hope you start feeling better soon. Try not to feel scared, but rather to see it as a positive step on the road to recovery.

[Grockle]

Thank you very much. I feel like being referred to them is proof that I am failing at everything, so it made me feel a bit defeated. I am sure they will help and it certainly can't hurt. I just worry.

[summer111]

Grockle, please don't worry, this is the first step for you on your path to recovery. Depending on how mental health services operate in your area, you will most probably get a call from the assessment team who receive the referral and they will chat about what you feel your difficulties are. They may then invite you to come for an assessment which will address your history, current difficulties etc. From there, a decision can be made as to what help you need and by whom/ which team. Sometimes the team will just need to advise a GP re medication, for people who might have more complex issues or need more intervention it may be a referal to the Community Recovery Team, psychology, etc.
SS will only be contacted if it was felt that your child was at significant risk. A referral to mental health services does not automatically trigger a referral to SS so no need to be concerned about this.
Best of luck and no more worrying, you are just needing some support to get yourself back on track to the new improved Grockle :)

[fluffydressinggown]

Grockle, when I was initially assessed I was referred to the IAPT team which offer low intensity work through the PCT, they were really nice and although ultimately not the right service for me because things escalated they helped me find the right services. Quite a few of my friends have been through a similar system (IAPT referal) and it has been really useful for them.

I have also seen the home intervention team / crisis team who are a lot more high intensity but still really lovely and supportive.

I suppose I just wanted to say that a referal is a positive things and IME they take a very softly softly patient led approach to find the right support for you.

[fluffydressinggown]

Oh and not the same but I am a teacher and although I am (choosing) not to work at the moment, nobody has mentioned any worries about me working or being with children despite the fact that I am quite unwell at the moment.

[Grockle]

Thank you - this is all reassuring, I think

What does IAPT mean?

Sorry you are so unwell atm, fluffy. I know it's miserable and scary. Thinking of you.

[fluffydressinggown]

Improving access to psycjological therapies. Basically as far as i can tell it is to help people who have a milder our moderate mental health problem by giving them quicker access to services. It is time limited but like I say they did help me find the right services in the end.

For IAPT I had a phone assessment and then for the crisis team someone came to my house the day after I was referred to them. Have you had any contact yet? Thinking of you x

[Grockle]

Thank you. I think it'll take weeks. I'm still waiting for my CBT to start and I had the initial assessment for that in January. Unless I do anything silly, I'll just have to hold tight and wait. Which is hard.

[fluffydressinggown]

Grockle, you can contact the crisis team if you need to, if you feel unsafe contact them before you do something silly. I am speaking from experience, doing silly things is generally unpleasant and demoralising. Keep safe.

[Grockle]

Thank you, I won't do something silly. It is just frustrating that without doing that, I have to wait so long for any kind of help. Hope you are ok fluffy.

[fluffydressinggown]

It is ridiculous but if it is in your head you are entitled to support if it is causing you this much distress. What did your GP say? When I was initially referred in they did contact me very quickly, within a week or so I think so you might get a phone call soon.

[Francesbee]

I am totally new to this but I have been referred to mental health and have been assigned a care officer and just wandered why I am being referred?