I feel concerned about this MH appt ?

[Initialappointment]

Am I justified and is this the usual protocol?

I requested some counselling and had a phone assessment then was told it would be taken to the weekly meeting and discussed. I was told I’d probably be offered some online sessions.
They came back to me and said I have to attend an in person assessment and that it will be approx 2 hours and with 2 doctors and a nurse or other MH professional.

I thought this sounded a bit different to what a couple of friends had described from their MH issues they just had 1-1 appointments. After some googling this sounds like an assessment where one of the options could be sectioning ?? Is this possible ? Am I just worrying over nothing ? It’s also at the hospital and not at the other location within the community ?

For context I have a previous wrong diagnosis when I was a teenager of bipolar disorder. In my thirties I was actually diagnosed with autism and adhd. But they won’t remove the bipolar despite the fact I was told it is not correct. I’ve been having what I assume is perimenopause difficulties and severe anxiety.

It sounds like it's more of a thorough assessment maybe to look at diagnosis and any medication as well as a plan going forward. Sectioning is not something that happens frequently and only when people are very acutely unwell and a risk to themselves or others. Hopefully it'll be a chance for you to talk things through in more depth and get a plan in place.

Can you ring up and get them to clarify? Say you are worried as it sounds like a MHA assessment. They wont want you to worry, and hopefully they can put your mind at rest.

Personally, I am sure it isn't a MHA assessment as they are often done as an emergency because someone is at risk. They do not take 2 hours either.

If they want to talk about medication, then a doctor would be there and they might only be able to see you at the hospital.

When I was first assessed for therapy, it was with a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, and a MH nurse. Sometimes my appointment was at the hospital because there were no rooms in the place that community appointments take place at.

Yes I will have to call and ask. I think due to the situation when I was a teenager I’m really anxious about this kind of thing . I’m sure it’s very different now but it’s hard not to worry sometimes .

It won’t be a MHA assessment- that would only take place if there were significant concerns re risk to yourself and/or others and you were refusing any less restrictive option. MHA assessments are not arranged for people who are actively seeking therapy/mental health support.
Some psychotherapy services have all assessments done by at least 2 professionals- one who does most of the talking and the other observing the interaction. It’s a more thorough assessment based on a number of opinions other than just one individual assessment.
Other mental health services have a policy that all new/unknown patients are seen by 2 professionals both for a more thorough assessment and for risk reasons.
If you’re worried just call the service and ask them to clarify the nature of the appointment and who will be there. Hope all goes well for you .

A MHAA needs 2 doctors and an AMHP - without an AMHP there can be no assessment.

What is an amhp? I’ve been told 2 doctors and a third person but they didn’t clarify the exact role of the third professional

They are staff that have undergone additional training to be an Approved Mental Health Professional.
When I have had MHA assessment, they have always been social workers. But they can be other roles like nurses.

Amph is an approved MH prof -
this won’t be a MH act / section appt -

its likely to be a community mental health health team assessment where they have several professions there for the assessment and from there they can do diagnosis / med review / treatment plan all in one appt
mental health arrives are doing this more and more to reduce risk the amount of assessments that people can be put forward for as they bounce between the doctors / psychologists/ psychotherapists etc
generally it is a good idea and more effective for patients