Mental health care professionals
There may be many people involved in your care - including medical professionals who prescribe medication and therapy. There are also support workers who can help you with everyday tasks to help you to stay in your home or community.
Your doctor (GP)
Your doctor (GP) can provide a range of services including:
- talking through problems
- prescribing medication, where necessary
- making referrals to another specialist, for example a counsellor or psychiatrist, where necessary
Contact your doctor straight away if you have concerns about your physical or mental health.
Community mental health teams
Community mental health teams can help people with a mental health illness live in the community with support. This could be on a day-to-day basis or support at times when a person may need it. These teams may include:
- social workers
- community mental health nurses
- occupational therapists
- psychiatrists
- psychologists
- counsellors
- community support workers, like home helps for example
Community mental health teams can take care of your health and social needs.
Key workers
If you have different elements to your care, for example you see a psychiatrist, counsellor, doctor and social worker, you may have access to a key worker.
This person will talk to all the different professionals and be a single person for you to talk to and support you. Key workers will be a member of the community mental health team and will draw up a care plan with you.
You should be given a copy of your care plan.
Community mental health nurses
Community mental health nurses are registered nurses who are trained in mental health and can:
- talk to you about ways to cope
- give long-term support to you in the community
- give some medication
Community mental health nurses can specialise in working with older people, children or people with drug or alcohol problems.
Counsellors
Counsellors provide a 'talking therapy' where you will be invited to talk about your thoughts and feelings; the counsellor will then discuss ways of coping with you. Counselling can also be provided by:
- community mental health nurses
- psychotherapists
- psychologists
- social workers
- occupational therapists
There is generally a waiting list for counselling services on the Health Service, but there are voluntary organisations that also offer talking treatments - ask your doctor (GP) or community mental health team for details. There are also private treatments available.
Health visitors
Health visitors are qualified nurses with specialist training who work in the community. They help people with a mental illness to continue to live in their home. Health visitors can:
- help you stay healthy by talking to you about diet and exercise
- be someone to talk to
- offer practical advice about food, hygiene and day-to-day living
- tell you about other services that may be useful to you. For example, they may be able to tell you about a local community group that you may want to go to
Psychiatrists and psychologists
A psychiatrist mainly deals with the physical aspect of mental health, for example drug therapy. Psychiatrists often work closely with psychologists and counsellors who could discuss your thoughts and feelings and work out coping strategies with you.
Social workers
Social workers can offer you advice on practical matters like accommodation and financial support ,such as benefits. Some social workers are specially trained in mental health and can offer counselling.
Approved social workers
Approved social workers have undergone special training and can carry out some tasks under the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986, such as recommending a compulsory hospital stay.
Approved social workers also have a particular duty to look at alternatives to hospitalisation, for example by looking at the range of community care available that may allow the person with a mental illness to stay in their community.
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