What could be different in mental health care, what helps, and what have you found to be useful reading?

[OwFriggingOw]

First off - this is a thread inspired by another thread - not about another thread.

I am a lecturer who teaches mainly MH nursing students, but also Adult, Child and Learning Disability field nurses about MH, and also occasionally medical students. I have no agenda for this thread bar a genuine desire to listen, share ideas, and have an open discussion about what is helpful / less so. I worked in NHS MH for 13 odd years.

In case anyone links the other threads that inspired this thread - I have been comissioned to edit a book about people's experiences (service users and carers / family / friends) within MH services and with MH issues. NONE OF THE POSTS HERE WILL BE USED IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM FOR THIS BOOK. You have my ABSOLUTE word on that. Similarly, NONE of the posts here will be used in any of my teaching.

My aim in starting this stems from several PM's and several on-thread comments about how this would be useful/ I hope it can be a helpful, supportive and productive meeting place for thoughts and ideas about what people have found helpful with regards MH care / services / support (statutory and non statutory) and what has been less helpful. Most importantly with regards the less helpful - what can be done differently?

And - beacuse I like books - maybe we can share reading ideas :)

Would it be helpful if I shared parts of my long thread from earlier regarding what I see as needed, without any other details from the thread?

Good to see you, Daisy.

I'm sorry, it must have been distressing returning home to the damage to the door.

Was just about to ask what practical help you would suggest for that sort of thing - but see Ow has got there first.

Umm, I thought it may be appropriate to post this now:

Faux concern

"Fakes are more likely to start new comment threads, make inane comments rather than add to a debate, and repeat former comments with minor changes, the study suggests."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15869683

dictionary.reference.com/browse/ignore

... as some people seem to be getting het up about things.

If you have no interest in this post, ignore it :)

we can get the thread back on track and report amillion for each sabotage. this is a resource thread and should not be shut down.

the first care plan I ever saw was blank, I was asked to sign it and told it would be filled in later - if I'd known how pointless the document was I might have signed it but obviously I didn't. Still not sure what they are for although at least my latest one does sounds like me, I think mostly they just fill them in with stock phrases and textbook lists of symptoms whether they apply or not.

that's a nice story about your brother and his recovery bringback, hope things continue to go well for him

OwfriggingOw post 12.01.
Good that you have reported yourself to MN.
There does need to be some confirmation of who you are.
And,if they can verify you,good.

bringbacksideburns - thanks for your post - I'm so pleased things are on theroad to recovery for your DB, though it sounds like a really long and hard road to get there.

I agree re: the repetition of the same things - while it's helpful to have an accurate and detailed picture of what's going on, if someone sees say, the GP, who refers to the Crisis Team, who then ask a psychiatrist to assess - that's potentially 3 repetitions in a very short space of time. And three lots of copious notes, repeating the same material potentially.

That's always been a bug bear - care plans which are not individualised, or worked out in collaboration where ever possible with the person it's about. It should be the person's own care plan, not the staff or the service's?

i have also said to mnhq i am prepared to verify who i am etc. it was not needed and isn't here. this is a support and info thread. can we ignore the deliberate trolling? this thread could really help people

I agree with maryz

anyway establish authenticity of what? If this thread is going to be a book it would be shit anyway - I mean it's interesting as a thread, just wouldn't make a very compelling book. Anything you post here can end up in print.

I think it has been mentioned earlier in the thread, but there seems to be a big lack in community services, especially for older people. As a community nurse, I can refer to many specialist nurses for physical health issues / phone for advise; but similar contacts for.mental health is non existant or takes several weeks for a response, even at crisis point.

This may just.reflect current mental health service cuts, but having timely input from a CPN could reduce the likelihood of admission to hospital as often the physical deterioration is a direct result of mental deterioration, and if the mental health was addressed, then managin physical.health would be much more effective.

isn't there a cmht for older people iliketea? does it stop at 65?

I was very lucky to have a good cpn.
I know that although her workload is massive and need for ongoing care in the community is key that her job is under threat.
I think we underestimate the help and support a good Cpn can offer. More provision would be good IMO.

Are they any organizations to help the families specifically?

It might be useful to have some links on this thread for anyone who is in that situation?

Thanks Joyful

Yes, a good, reliable, empathic and supportive CPN can make all the difference.

There are older adult CMHT's - but no older adult crisis or home treatment provision bar GP, attendance at A&E or out of hours GP I think for older adults round here - so referrals take time, there isn't anything that can be implemented urgently. Big gap there I think?

rethink (used to be NSF) was set up originally to help the families of people with schizophrenia - it still has a slight 'does he take sugar' feel to it I think

I found a lot of the fact sheets on rethink's website helpful: here

I know MIND, Rething and (I think) MDF all have support for carers - I'm not sure if there's specifically any MH specific carers support - bar individual conditions such as Alzheimer's Society

There's also
Carer's UK

some MDF groups are person-with-bipolar only, some are open to careers too and some have carers only meetings

am not even a member at the moment yet they were an important part of my life once