Access to specialist services
Experiencing mental distress and using specialist mental health services (such as an inpatient unit) can be traumatic for people, but when most people look back on their experiences, they realise some good comes from it as well.
Specialist mental health services can be very difficult to get in to. There is a huge demand for services in some places, and they may only be able to admit people who are really unwell.
Who decides?
A lot of people decide themselves to use specialist mental health services, but sometimes other people make that decision for you.
Usually you have to be referred by a health professional:
- Your general practitioner (family doctor) may refer you because you need more expert help than they can give.
- You may be referred through an accident and emergency service, for instance, if you have harmed yourself.
- You may ring up your local mental health helpline, mental health crisis services or psychiatric emergency team who will decide whether or not you could benefit from mental health services.
Some people are taken to specialist mental health services by the Police. Occasionally the Courts are involved.
If you have difficulty getting into specialist mental health services, keep trying. Get family, friends or relatives to support you and let the mental health service know how bad things are for you.
What some people feel about it
Most people feel really bad by the time they get into specialist mental health services. Your mental distress may make you feel overwhelmed, despairing, confused or scared. These are expected emotions.
If people around you don’t understand mental distress, you may feel ashamed that you have to use specialist mental health services or you may feel some fear because you don’t know what the services are going to do to you.
If someone else has made the decisions for you, you may feel powerless or angry.
Some people feel relief when they start to use services – at last someone may be able to understand and help you.
Whatever you feel, it’s OK and it’s part of your recovery journey.
Once you get into mental health services, don’t be afraid to ask questions about what is happening to you.
