Common Mental Health Problems

1. Common Mental Health Problems Gareth Walton Clinical Manager/Matron

2. Overview • Local service provision • Prevalence of mental health problems • Types of mental health problems • Getting help or advice in a crisis • Keeping yourself safe

3. Local Mental Health Service Provision - Adults • Adult services cover ages 17-65, but age is not an exclusion criteria • Aim of the service is to provide the least restrictive treatment option appropriate to meet assessed needs • One inpatient unit (36 beds) The Lakes, CGH • One inpatient unit (17 beds) at Clacton Hospital • Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team, Duty Team, and Trust Line (formerly crisis line) • CMHTs based in Colchester, Halstead, Clacton and Harwich • Outpatient clinics in Colchester, Halstead, Clacton and Harwich

4. Local Mental Health Service Provision – OA and CYPS • 60 OA beds in Clacton and Colchester • Developing CRHT service for older adults • Locality CMHTs in Colchester and Clacton • Brand new building – St Aubyn Centre for CYPS inpatient care (25 beds in two wards) • CMHT and crisis services in place

5. Prevalence of mental health problems • 1 in 4 will experience mental health problems • 2 million people visit their GP with mental health problems a year • 1 in 100 diagnosed with a severe mental illness

6. Schizophrenia • Episodes during which reality is perceived differently • Hallucinations and/or delusions • Acute phase often accompanied lack of insight • Acute episode can be marked by intense panic, paranoia, anger, depression, elation or over activity • 30-40% attempt suicide -1in10 eventually succeed

7. Bipolar Disorder • Dramatic mood swings- “high” and/or irritable to low, sad and hopeless and back again • Periods of normal mood • High – mania. Mild to moderate-hypomania • Low - depression • Hallucinations and/or delusions • When high- denial that anything is wrong • When low- suicide ideation often present

8. Anxiety Disorders • Manageable level of anxiety normal & healthy • Severe anxiety effects an individual’s quality of life and ability to function • Anxiety disorders mostly commonly reported in the UK • Specific symptoms; fear, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, fainting, indigestion, feelings of dread and doom

9. Dementia • Dementia is the name for a group of diseases that affect the normal working of the brain • The changes in the brain slowly lead to memory loss and confusion, and affect people’s personality and behaviour. • Progress lose the ability to carry out normal, everyday activities for themselves.

10. Depression • Most likely to be managed by GP • Severity of symptoms varies with individuals • Low mood, lack of energy and motivation, reduced appetite and sleep problems • Physical symptoms – fear of being seriously ill • Suicidal ideation

11. Personality disorders • “a severe disturbance in the character-logical condition and behavioral tendencies of the individual, usually involving several areas of the personality and nearly always associated with considerable personal and social disruption” • Many types – narcissistic, emotionally unstable, dependent

12. Getting help or advice in a crisis Trustline (Crisis line) – 0845 038 0800 • Operates 24/7 • Access to urgent assessments Samaritans – 0845 790 9090 NERIL – 0845 0900 909

13. Keeping yourself safe • A person with mental health problems poses more risks to themselves than others • What do you know about the person and their problems? • Has the person been drinking or appear under the influence of drugs? • Does the person appear irritable/hostile? • Does the person seem to be responding to hallucinations? • Always keep your exit route clear • Be aware of your environment – what could be used as a weapon?

14. Keeping yourself safe • Keep money/collections/valuables out of sight and securely stored • Ensure someone knows where you are, and when you are due to be finished