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Reduced waiting time for treatment of mental health illness
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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On the news today :- Waiting time targets for people with mental health problems in England are to be introduced for the first time.
People with depression should begin "talking therapy" treatments within 18 weeks, from next April.
Young people with psychosis for the first time will be seen within 14 days - the same target as cancer patients.The money to pay for it will be reallocated from other parts of the health budget.
This surely can only be a good thing. Mental health affects a large number of the population and to some extent there is still a stigma attached. Many hide their condition and asking for help can be difficult to do. So making them wait a long time to speak to a counsellor didn't help that. I am really pleased that positive action is being taken.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On the news today :- Waiting time targets for people with mental health problems in England are to be introduced for the first time.
People with depression should begin "talking therapy" treatments within 18 weeks, from next April.
Young people with psychosis for the first time will be seen within 14 days - the same target as cancer patients.The money to pay for it will be reallocated from other parts of the health budget.
This surely can only be a good thing. Mental health affects a large number of the population and to some extent there is still a stigma attached. Many hide their condition and asking for help can be difficult to do. So making them wait a long time to speak to a counsellor didn't help that. I am really pleased that positive action is being taken.
"
 I couldn't agree more |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Still too long but hey, it's progress I guess. Better than nothing.
Speaking from very bitter experience  "
I completely agree, I also think it is still something of a postcode lottery. I live in an area where mental health seems to be well funded, however I know this is not the situation in many other areas. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
The BBC Breakfast piece was really good too. We all have mental health just as we have physical health. Sometimes our health status is unwell.
I have found I could get an assessment within 3 weeks from my GP referral but then had to wait 7 months before I was given a three session set of appointments to dig deeper and another 6 weeks before starting therapy.
The only way to speed up the process was to attempt suicide.
Thankfully, you lot helped and saved me from that. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"Still too long but hey, it's progress I guess. Better than nothing.
Speaking from very bitter experience
I completely agree, I also think it is still something of a postcode lottery. I live in an area where mental health seems to be well funded, however I know this is not the situation in many other areas. "
In other areas, such as mine, it's also that demand far outstrips supply. There are reasons for the high levels of need being concentrated in some areas but we're not able to tackle the concentration of poverty or poor mental health leading to poverty yet. |
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A friend of mine works as a therapist in the NHS and she said that since the recession hit demand for mental health services has increased four-fold.
It's surely had a devastating impact on many people's lives.
The economy is usually spoken about in numbers, but those numbers represent real people. |
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Great step forward ! Plus anything to shine a light on to the subject of mental Iillness is welcomed in my book !! Get people talking openly about it and get people the help and support they need . |
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I hope that people get the help they need. I worked in the mental health field for a few years, however got out of it after seeing time and time again how the system was failing people and the impact it was having on my own mental health. I'm not surprised this has come into play now as the enquiry into the death of the girl in Birmingham which highlighted the failings of agencies involved in the mentally ill man who murdered her. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"A friend of mine works as a therapist in the NHS and she said that since the recession hit demand for mental health services has increased four-fold.
It's surely had a devastating impact on many people's lives.
The economy is usually spoken about in numbers, but those numbers represent real people. "
Definitely, plus services have tighter and tighter budgets. It is a vicious circle. |
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By the time someone needs mental health input, its generally too late. Input for an acute problem is needed immediately e.g. pychosis. Services for children (CAMHS) is bad but once they hit 18, its gone practically. For far too long MH has has Cinderella status amongst NHS services.
Mental health care is appalling and staff are demoralised and this shows up in sickness rates.
The private sector that either gets contracts or directly run services on behalf of the NHS are even worse. .  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It is a good thing, but not good enough, unfortunately, when someone's on the edge, the alternatives are, wait for therapy, which could be (and sometimes is) too late, or get committed for their own safety, which is not warranted. But, on a positive, it's a step in the right direction most definitely  |
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Id never heard of chams until friday when the school senco says both my teenage children need referring but could take weeks. I've been trying to get help for 8 years , fobbed off at every turn. It's taken self harm from one child and faking illness to avoid school from the other to get help.
My own mental health isn't brilliant, I'm on a even keel on the whole but I have been very ill just to have prozac thrown at me and counselling years ago which was possibly the biggest mistake I've made, 2 years chatting about shit that wasn't an issue, but again, fobbed off when trying to explain what was .
It's a fecking nightmare..... |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"By the time someone needs mental health input, its generally too late. Input for an acute problem is needed immediately e.g. pychosis. Services for children (CAMHS) is bad but once they hit 18, its gone practically. For far too long MH has has Cinderella status amongst NHS services.
Mental health care is appalling and staff are demoralised and this shows up in sickness rates.
The private sector that either gets contracts or directly run services on behalf of the NHS are even worse. . "
The transition from CAMHS to adult services is a particularly weak point in the system. I was doing some work last year on how to improve this and I am hopeful that the models will be adopted by different CCGs. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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18 weeks is too long,by the time people ask for help they're usually at breaking point anyway
But a system is better than none I suppose and if it doesn't help then it can be revised |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It all starts with education, remove the stigma that comes with admitting you have mental problems and from asking for help. Only by doing that will those unfortunate souls be able to ask for help early enough for them to be successfully treated. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"It all starts with education, remove the stigma that comes with admitting you have mental problems and from asking for help. Only by doing that will those unfortunate souls be able to ask for help early enough for them to be successfully treated."
It needs to be included in health education at school as well as at home.
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By *inaTitzTV/TS
over a year ago
Titz Towers, North Notts |
Mental illness is a terrible affliction. I've seen a couple of lives severely mucked about due to it.
If someone has a physical problem it is more tangible and people can make allowances for it, but mental illness is often not obvious to anyone but the sufferer. Horrible nasty thing to have. |
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"Id never heard of chams until friday when the school senco says both my teenage children need referring but could take weeks. I've been trying to get help for 8 years , fobbed off at every turn. It's taken self harm from one child and faking illness to avoid school from the other to get help.
My own mental health isn't brilliant, I'm on a even keel on the whole but I have been very ill just to have prozac thrown at me and counselling years ago which was possibly the biggest mistake I've made, 2 years chatting about shit that wasn't an issue, but again, fobbed off when trying to explain what was .
It's a fecking nightmare..... "
Pm me is you need advice re your kids. Look at IPSEA too.Take care. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My personal experience with the mental health professionals hasn't been great, it took along time for things to start moving and my depression got worse. It took me along time to buck up the courage to talk about it and then all the extra waiting time for seeing the right person just adds to it.
That along with the stigma I did feel really alone for such a long time. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"18 weeks is still an awfully long dime for someone with depression to wait. "
It is, I had a friend with very extreme OCD symptoms caused by grief and she had to wait months to see a mental health professional who specialised in that area. In the meantime , it took over her life. Once treatment started the difference was amazing. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Young people with psychosis should have immediate treatment in a secure ward, not 14 bloody days on the loose!!!!
. They are a danger to themselves and others.  "
I'm no expert, but wouldn't their GP have started them on medication to hopefully reduce the symptoms whilst awaiting the referral ? And I'm guessing there are emergency contacts given in case of believing there is a danger to their life? Psychosis doesn't make them a danger necessarily. It's not ideal - 14 days but it's a start . |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
I think that some dismiss the role of medication from GPs. It doesn't work instantly but if it works for you then it puts you in a better place to work with a therapist and not sabotage the process. |
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A kid does not often admit to feeling different even if they can actually recognise it themselves. Fairly often too, its cannabis induced. By the time its obvious they should ideally be an inpatient. Seeing as most specialist wards are already full where do you think they go?  |
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Why would anyone take medication if they think they are fine?
In a lot of cases its not until they become a sectioned patient and they have to take medication and then the time for it to work properly is when comprehension of their predicament is apparent to them. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Most of the anti depressant medication actually makes you feel worse before you feel any better, the I've been tried on several some really hit me for six made me feel like a zombie one made me feel hungover every morning. The wait is atrocious and so is the following up regarding medication in a lot of case's. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Most of the anti depressant medication actually makes you feel worse before you feel any better, the I've been tried on several some really hit me for six made me feel like a zombie one made me feel hungover every morning. The wait is atrocious and so is the following up regarding medication in a lot of case's. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Young people with psychosis should have immediate treatment in a secure ward, not 14 bloody days on the loose!!!!
. They are a danger to themselves and others. "
Not all young people with psychosis are a danger to others..that's quite a small minded comment and they certainly don't just need putting into a secure ward... Many young people with psychosis deal better with being given the help and support needed on a 1-1 basis whilst also carrying on with day to day life.
Don't stereotype all those suffering as the same. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Waiting times for mental health issues.
Its enough to drive you MAD! 
But no, good thing really. I've known a lot of old friends that have had problems and this is a nice change to see. |
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"Young people with psychosis should have immediate treatment in a secure ward, not 14 bloody days on the loose!!!!
. They are a danger to themselves and others.
Not all young people with psychosis are a danger to others..that's quite a small minded comment and they certainly don't just need putting into a secure ward... Many young people with psychosis deal better with being given the help and support needed on a 1-1 basis whilst also carrying on with day to day life.
Don't stereotype all those suffering as the same."
Actually your correct. I tend to see the more extreme end. That was a knee jerk reaction. Sorry.   |
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It should be enforced but this is only a news item from the libdems conference.
This is the same group of mps who signed a pledge before the last election on student fees and then voted to increase them when they got into government.
They are not trusted and are desperate to try stopping their party having almost no mps left in the election next year.
Mental health funding has been several cut and is not priority - it is a disgrace. |
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By *he tactile technicianMan
over a year ago
the good lands, the bad lands, the any where you may want me lands |
"It all starts with education, remove the stigma that comes with admitting you have mental problems and from asking for help. Only by doing that will those unfortunate souls be able to ask for help early enough for them to be successfully treated.
It needs to be included in health education at school as well as at home.
"
its more than just that, it needs a societal shift, a national awareness and acceptance across every aspect of life. A good article here http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/08/nhs-mental-health-care-readers-stories
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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seeing as how my work involves looking after people with mental health issues i should be dancing with joy - so much depends on who you see i think it seems to differ so much from patient to patient - annoyingly so in many cases
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"On the news today :- Waiting time targets for people with mental health problems in England are to be introduced for the first time.
People with depression should begin "talking therapy" treatments within 18 weeks, from next April.
Young people with psychosis for the first time will be seen within 14 days - the same target as cancer patients.The money to pay for it will be reallocated from other parts of the health budget.
This surely can only be a good thing. Mental health affects a large number of the population and to some extent there is still a stigma attached. Many hide their condition and asking for help can be difficult to do. So making them wait a long time to speak to a counsellor didn't help that. I am really pleased that positive action is being taken.
"
Oh good, that'll make it just 20 years behind the western world, then - after leapfrogging the US!!  |
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