The community mental heath team is there to help those who
are suffering from mental health problems. The first port of call for anyone
who thinks that they are suffering from some kind of mental health problem is
your doctor who will be able to recommend the right sort of help.
The community mental health team consists of a number of
professionals who are trained in their specific areas and can include
psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and of
course the community psychiatric nurse or CPN. Some specific problems or issues
that can arise in addition to existing mental health problems or which can
exacerbate or trigger mental health problems and which might need extra
consideration include:
o Financial problems
o Physical disabilities
o Housing issues
o Divorce or relationship problems
o Childcare issues
Certain kinds of mental health problems may result in
different needs and may, therefore, require some specialist help to deal with
and these can include:
o Elderly depression and dementia
o Child or Teen depression
o Postnatal depression
o Bipolar disorder
o Schizophrenia
Obviously, finding one person fully qualified and skilled in
all of these areas just isn't possible so the community
residential mental health facilities work
together in order to ensure that the best advice and support is available as
many of the professionals involved will be trained in specialist areas that
allow them to offer a better service to people suffering from specific
problems. So who is likely to be involved in the community mental health team?
Psychiatrist
Patients can be referred to a psychiatrist by their doctor.
After an initial assessment, the psychiatrist will recommend a suitable course
of treatment and medication. If a mental health problem is particularly severe
then they are also able to recommend that the individual be detained in
hospital for a period of time. However, this is a last resort and also requires
the approval of another doctor and a social worker who all agree that this is
the best option for an individual concerned either for the individual's safety
or for the safety of others.
Psychologist
Psychologists have an understanding of human behavior,
emotions and how the mind works and although they cannot prescribe medication
they can offer various types of psychological therapies. Patients can be
referred to them by the doctor or other members of the community health team.
The Key Worker
People suffering from mental health problems will usually be
assigned a key worker, which can be anyone in the community mental health team.
The key worker ensures that the individual gets the right kind of help that
they need. They will regularly assess the progress of an individual and report
back to the rest of the team.
Community Psychiatric Nurse or CPN
The key worker will often be a CPN who will usually make
regular visits to people with mental health problems in their own homes. They
offer an important lifeline for people who are feeling isolated and alone with
their mental health problems or who are experiencing particular difficulties.
They are aware of the many issues surrounding mental health and can listen as
well as help people talk through their problems in a setting in which they feel
comfortable.
The CPN will liaise with and work closely with other members
of the team to make sure that any practical support and assistance is offered
when needed. They monitor medication, make sure the individual knows how to
take their medication and they also look out for additional symptoms or side
effects of that medication. The family and loved ones of a person suffering
from mental health problems often need additional support in order to
understand mental illness and to be able to cope with it, the CPN can offer
practical advice and guidance.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists help individuals to cope with
practical issues on a day to day basis in areas such as dressing, toileting and
feeding themselves and can help individuals regain some control of their lives.
Social workers
Social workers can ensure that an individual gets access to
various social services that will improve their quality of life and that they
may be entitled to such as home help, respite care and perhaps admission to day
or residential centers. They can also offer assistance in dealing with housing
needs, financial difficulties or other social problems.
The best care
Many other people can be involved in the community mental
health team including various support workers, therapists, counselors, and of
course loved ones. Together they all make sure that the individual suffering
from mental illness gets the best care possible. Each team member can make a
valuable contribution to the individual's quality of life and can help them not
only to cope with their illness on a day to day basis but to regain control
over their lives and integrate with the rest of the community in a positive and
productive way.
