1. Understanding Mental Health Services
Presented by:
On:
At:

2. Aims of this Session What are the mental health services?
How do they work?
Who works there?
What other services are available?
How to get the best from them?

3. The Day Hospital

4. Accessing the Psychiatric Day Hospital
Referral by GP
Initial appointment (assessment)
Development of initial care plan
Either:
-Further specialist intervention and care planning,
Or:
-No further specialist intervention required

5. Accessing the Psychiatric Day Hospital

6. Staff in the Day Hospital
Psychiatrist
Community Mental Health Nurse
Occupational Therapist
Social Worker
Clinical Psychologist
Addiction Counsellor
Medical Secretary

7. Staff in the Day Hospital: Psychiatrist
Medical Doctor
Specialist in treating mental health difficulties
Clinical Lead of the team
Work in collaboration with the Multi-disciplinary team
Supported by two other doctors
All are qualified to prescribe specialist medication

8. Staff in the Day Hospital: Community Mental Health Nurse
Supporting people experience acute and/or enduring distress
Assessing people and discussing best ways of meeting their needs
Providing education and
support around medication
Working with the person and their family
Arranging referral to other team members

9. Staff in the Day Hospital: Occupational Therapist
Assist the person to reach optimum level of independence & to have a productive and satisfying lifestyle
Evaluating and adapting the
home environment
Assist in developing leisure interests
Training in activities of daily living
Guidance and advice on employment

10. Staff in the Day Hospital: Social Worker
Offering individual and group support programmes
Providing family support
Education and support to the
wider community
Liaising and making referrals to other agencies
Providing information and advice on welfare and housing issues
Advocating for people with other agencies

11. Staff in the Day Hospital: Clinical Psychologist
Specialist qualification in mental health
Use psychological knowledge and techniques
Address a range of emotional and psychological problems
Psychological assessment
Use techniques e.g. CBT
Work in partnership with client
Usually over a number of sessions

12. Staff in the Day Hospital: Addiction Counsellor
Strengthen self-worth
Find positive ways to manage stressful events and emotions
Learn how to react to common substance and behavioural triggers
Develop practical skills for dealing
with cravings
Assist the individual with rebuilding
trusting relationships with others
Become responsible and compliant with other treatment plans

13. Staff in the Day Hospital: Medical Secretary
Answers all telephone enquiries
Liaises with members of the team
Responds to general enquiries about the service
Provides clerical support to the team
Arranges all medical appointments
Reception duties

15. Voluntary Services Please see handout for contact details
AWARE
Reach Out
Please Talk
Pieta House
Aras Follain
Samaritans
GROW
Shine
Le Cheile
You can use any or all of the voluntary services while attending the HSE services.

16. Getting the best from Services: Challenges
For Family & Carers
For Staff members
For Service users

17. Challenges for Family & Carers
Patience
Understanding
Learning about the illness
Giving support
Communication between professionals and family
Difficult jargon
Empathy

18. Challenges for Staff Members
Time constraints
Volume of workload
Conflict in teams
Carer fatigue
Resource issues
Burnout
Challenging behaviour
Vicarious trauma

19. Challenges for Service Users
Access issues
Resource issues
Identifying most appropriate supports
Following up aftercare plan
Communication on both sides
Lack of knowledge
Fear
Stigma
Money
Knowing where to go
Knowing your rights

20. Getting the Best from Services: How to:
Keeping appointments
Prepare for appointments
Getting to know the person
Connecting
Online resources
Open & honest about symptoms
Do your research
Putting in the time
Accepting the diagnosis
Use other services while waiting
Give all the information to the service provider
Filling time between appointments
Communication
Persistence
Knowing about MDT
Private Care- quicker access GP
Family support
Asking for extra help

21. Thank you!

22. References http://www.addictioncounsellors.ie/about-counselling