Melbourne Mental Health Doctors
Mental health issues are common with almost 25 percent of the population that is believed to be suffering from some kind of mental health problem at any point in time. Well, any person suffering from a mental health problem can access the correct form of treatment and make a full recovery.
However, the problem is that there are individuals who are afraid of admitting that they can’t cope or rather need help, and they will usually suffer from persistent mental distress as they don’t understand their illness, and are unaware of the kind of aid available. In this post, we shall be looking at the mental health doctors and services available to a person suffering from mental illness.
Mental Health Doctors
The first thing to do is contact a doctor. A physician or GP, especially one who has experience in mental health will be able to make an assessment of your symptoms, as well as your physical and mental health in general. They will also take into consideration other various factors including the family history of mental illness for him or her to make a proper diagnosis. This is imperative as an accurate diagnosis is needed if the proper help is to be offered. For most individuals, a simple visit to the mental health doctor might be all that is needed to put them on the road to recovery.
However, the doctor might feel that you may also benefit from other mental health services and so, once they have made a full diagnosis, they’ll be able to recommend a suitable treatment program that usually includes medication and referral to other specialists or professionals in the community mental health team. Such professionals include psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, therapists and other various types of counselors.
The CMHT (community mental health team)
There are situations where a patient requires specialist skills for them to cope with their condition. Ideally, mental health doctors couldn’t possibly be experts in every field, and so, you might be referred to someone on the community mental health team, especially if your symptoms are severe or need medication. The CMHT varies depending on the region that you reside in. Some may be attached to hospitals or even work from a doctor’s surgery while others may have their own clinics in a separate building. Well, basically, they consist of specialists or professionals like psychiatric nurses who are trained to deal with specific mental problems, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists and various other counselors and therapists.
It’s pretty likely that one specialist will be appointed as your primary partner, and they will team up with you on a regular basis, visiting your home, or you going to their office. This specialist might be a nurse, a social worker, a type of therapist or mostly, a CPN or community psychiatric nurse.
The CPN’s role is to assess your progress, identify and assist you with any problems you might be experiencing and even put you in touch with people who can help. Also, they assist in monitoring you medication and any side effects that medication might pose. Generally, they are there to support you until you recover. They also work with other specialists in the CMHT so that everyone is aware of any issues or challenges that you need help with. The team will ideally regularly inform the mental health doctor about your medication, progress and any other matters involved in your case.
You might also need some help from other specialists in the team. For instance, an occupational therapist can assist you to regain some independence in your life, if you suffer from any disability. They can help you do certain things for yourself and even improve confidence in areas like washing, dressing, and other skills. Social workers, on the other hand, can assist with numerous social problems like financial issues, housing needs or even parenting. Typically, the CMHT enables you to access proper help from professionals who are trained in specific fields.
The Hospital
In some cases, you might need to spend some time in the hospital or inpatient facility to get over a particularly difficult condition of mental condition, or even in situations where it is considered to be the best course of action by the mental health doctors. A hospital will offer safety and protection and in fact, most people admit themselves voluntarily in hospitals to receive the proper help and support. However, there are mandatory admissions that are made under the mental health act with an aim of protecting the patient and those around them. For some, the thought of being admitted to a hospital can be quite frightening, but it’s important to keep in mind that such an admission can be lifesaving and that hospitals are equipped with all the materials and professionals who can help with the condition.
Extra Support
Relatives and friends can also be very contributory in helping individuals suffering from mental health issues. They can assist them in progress and regain control of their life, and so, they are a very important part of the support team. Ideally, there are numerous support organizations, agencies, and even charities that offer to help individuals suffering from different mental health disorders. Some will ideally tackle problems related to mental health by raising awareness in the society while others will give information, advice and support to the affected. Mental health doctors can be consulted if you wish to know what other help or support is available in the area you reside.