Mental Health in the UK
The responses revealed that mental health problems are seen as 'afflictions that affect the brain and mind'. They were perceived as different from other illnesses such as cancer.
However, the'stiff upper lip culture means that a lot of people remain hesitant to seek treatment for their illnesses. People who are suffering from mental illness are sometimes sent out of their area for treatment in a hospital.
Treatment
In the UK the UK, mental health care is part of the country's well-loved National Health Service (NHS) that provides quality, free healthcare to everyone regardless of their income. This includes access to GPs, surgeries, and hospitalization. The NHS has existed since 1948, and its goal is to provide high-quality medical care to people in Britain.
However the NHS is not without challenges. Many patients with mental health issues experience long waiting times to visit a specialist. The NHS must address this issue to ensure that patients receive timely treatment. The NHS also needs to increase its emphasis on prevention and early intervention, which can aid patients suffering from mental health issues avoid more serious problems.
Anyone can experience mental health issues at any moment however, certain groups are more susceptible to being affected more than others. These include women, young people and those who are LGBTQIA+. People living in low-income households are more likely to suffer from mental illness.
A variety of treatments are available to those with mental health issues like depression. The NHS recommends a combination of talking therapies, self-help, and medication. The type of depression a person is suffering from will determine the type of medication prescribed. For example, the NHS may prescribe antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, and anti-anxiety medications for those suffering from severe anxiety disorders.
The stigma persists in the UK despite increased awareness about mental health issues. Many people are hesitant to seek help and fail to get the support they require. The NHS has worked to reduce stigma but there is more to be done. The stigma is particularly damaging to children and young people.
Mental health services need to be adequately funded since the current levels of investment are not sufficient to meet the needs. The BMA calls on the government to boost funding for mental health services and to set ambitious and measurable goals for a larger workforce. These should include a robust and frequent collection of worker information by NHS Digital, a plan to recruit more mental health specialists and a set of measures that will help existing staff to retain.
Prevention
People with mental health issues can avail a variety of prevention options. Talking therapies (also called cognitive behavioral therapy) and psychiatric medicines are available. These services are offered in England by the NHS and a few local authorities. Many who use these services find them beneficial and they are usually free.
It is essential to remember that most mental health conditions can be treated and patients can recover. However, the NHS and other organizations have been unable to meet the growing demand for these services due to funding cuts. This has led to lengthy waiting lists, and sometimes delays in getting the right aid and treatment.
The most important aspect of prevention is to stop mental illness from forming in the beginning. This is especially important in young people, where there is a higher prevalence of mental health issues and more risk of developing severe symptoms than people in older age groups. GPs can be key to identifying and providing the right preventive treatment.
In the UK there is a significant focus on providing preventive healthcare for mental health issues as part of the National Health Service. This system was introduced in 1948 to provide high-quality, free health care to all. It includes mental healthcare alongside access to doctors, surgery and other medical treatments.
The system is under strain due to budget cuts by the government. But, it's an excellent system overall. It provides people with a regular check-in to discuss their mental health, which can be very useful for those who have concerns or are at greater risk of a mental health issue. It also offers information and connections to peer support services and self-management advice.
There is also a focus on the prevention of suicide. It is a grave problem that is affecting people of all age groups, but it is particularly prevalent amongst young people and is one of the most common causes of death due to premature age in the UK. To reduce the number of suicides, there is still work to be done. This includes training mental health professionals, improving community-based support, and ensuring that people get the help they require close to home.
Support
Anyone with an issue with mental health is able to seek help and assistance. You can call the NHS helpline if you're experiencing difficulties or are worried about someone you know. The NHS website has details of how to access services. If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, you can dial 999, which will connect them with ambulance and police services. Alternately, they can go to the A&E department of their local hospital where they will be seen by medical specialists. They will treat any physical symptoms and alert their local mental health team.
Community mental health teams are designed for those who require more in-depth, specialized care. They could include a psychiatric nurse, occupational therapist, psychologist and a care coordinator. If the person requires food, housing, or money assistance they can refer them to the local authority's social services. There are usually long wait lists for appointments with consultants. The government is working to improve this issue.
The Mental Health Act allows for a person to be hospitalized in the event of a risk of harming them or others. Internet Page is only available to those considered to be at risk of imminent harm, and have undergone an evaluation for psychiatric disorders. The government is aiming to increase the quality and accessibility of this service.
Many people suffering from mental health issues find that alternative and complementary treatments can be beneficial. There are many charities that offer these kinds of treatments. Hub of Hope can help you locate local assistance.
The long-term plan for the government will ensure that all people can get a comprehensive set of acute and crisis mental health services across England. This includes adult crisis and home treatment teams, and ensuring every area has a 24/7 service by 2021. A new universal number of three digits, which will make it simpler to get immediate mental health support. Crisis alternatives like safe havens and crisis cafes, that provide an alternative to A&E or inpatient admission to a psychiatric hospital. Specialized liaison mental teams in A&E departments or general hospital wards to make sure that patients get the right treatment both for their physical and mental health.
Resources
People with mental health issues have access to a variety of NHS services that are both free and paid. This includes psychiatrists who provide evidence-based treatments, as psychologists and social work professionals. Psychologists are trained in medicine and can prescribe medication and psychologists assist patients manage their illness through therapy with talk.
Many people with mental health problems struggle to get the assistance they require and aren't sure where to turn. In addition to the specialist support, there are a number of charities that can offer advice and help. Samaritans and Place2Be are among the organizations that can offer advice and help. People who suffer from depression or anxiety are advised to consult an therapist. Suicidal people should contact the suicide hotline or visit a crisis center.
Despite some improvements in mental health services offered by the NHS following the COVID-19 Pandemic demand continues to outpace supply. This is further exacerbated by budget cuts, which have reduced overall funding. The NHS Long Term Plan contains plans to create a ringfenced local fund worth around PS2.3bn a year by 2023/24. This is just a small portion of the overall NHS budget.
Despite these issues however, there is a lot that can be done to improve mental health services. JSNAs are a great way to identify the mental health needs within communities and determine the funding requirements and service delivery as well as the provision of services. NHS England has developed a toolkit to assist mental health commissioners to develop local JSNAs. NHS Digital also has a monthly database of mental health services that includes referrals, ward stays and other activities.
The pandemic has resulted in an increase in the number of people being referred for treatment and assessment. This has put stress on NHS mental health services and a deficiency of capacity in a number of areas results in patients being sent far from home to receive treatment. This also affects older individuals as well as children, and those who identifie themselves as LGBTQIA+. Public Health England has been monitoring population mental health throughout the pandemic, using a range of close-to-real-time surveys. They have also reported that the self-reported state of mental health has worsened in comparison with pre-pandemic levels.