Mental Health Services

Hospital Admission

If you become very distressed during a psychotic episode, you may be admitted to a hospital, either as a voluntary patient or as an involuntary patient under the terms of the Mental Health Act 1983. This gives medical staff a chance to assess your needs and decide how to help. A psychiatric ward can be a distressing environment with little to occupy you and little privacy, but meeting other patients with similar problems, in similar circumstances, can also be very helpful and comforting.

Crisis Services

Crisis services exist in some areas as an alternative to going to the hospital. They may offer accommodation or support in your own home.

Community Care

Everyone who has been referred to psychiatric services in England should have their needs assessed through the Care Programme Approach. You should be allocated a named care coordinator and have a written care plan, which should be regularly reviewed. A similar system applies in Wales.

Advocacy

Medical professionals in contact with you while you are in a crisis may not take what you have to say seriously. They may say you lack insight into your condition, without appreciating that perhaps they do too. It can be very helpful to have the services of an advocate to help put forward your views and to negotiate treatment and care that you can accept.