health and social

• assessment and treatment- to protect the needs of the service users the nearest relative will:

   be told if an approved social worker applies for the patient to be detained for compulsory assessment

   be consulted about, and object to, a social worker applying for the patient to be detained for compulsory treatment

   discharge the patient

   apply to a Mental Health Review Tribunal on behalf of the patient in certain situations

   receive written information about the patient’s detention, rights and discharge unless the patient objects
• Mental Health Order


  • Identifies named trained professionals who can be involved in the sectioning process - multi-disciplinary team(GP ect)
  • Empowers clients and encourages voluntary admission for assessment and treatment - admission and treatment without compulsion is important
• It identifies key grounds and time scales for detention,allows clients to be detained for assessment for 48 hours and detained for up to 14 days at the second stage and six months at the final stage depending on the review process, time scales are very important.
• mental health order protects- Details the rights of people who have a mental disorder and the procedure that must be followed in order to provide them with appropriate care so safeguarding the client

  • Clearly defines mental disorder - it excludes immoral conduct, personality disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs, therefore protecting service users
  • Clarifies grounds for compulsory admission to hospital, ensuring only those clients who meet specific criteria can be detained therefore protecting clients
• How voluntary providers support service users with a mental illness

  Voluntary providers can offer specific support services to those dealing with mental illness.

  Accommodation/support housing

  Supported housing services provide home and community care and support for those living with

  mental illness. It allows people with mental health needs to live as independently as possible, alone or

  with other people.
• Advocacy services

   

  Advocacy services can support a person with mental illness by speaking on their behalf or

  representing the individual with various agencies perhaps to gain access to other services such as

  improved housing or grants/benefits.
• Emotional support

  Managing emotions is vital for those dealing with a mental illness and the provision of emotional support

  can help a person to cope with and express their emotions, deal with their issues, boost their mood and

  improve their mental health.

  Emotional support can include staff members listening to patients, referrals for counselling or talking

  therapies and praise or encouragement for any type of recovery progress or achievements.
• emotional support

  Beat eating disorders provide a dedicated helpline in Northern Ireland, for people who need support for

  their eating disorder. Service users can speak to a trained support worker who will explore their concerns

  and identify next steps.
• Skills/ training/ education programmes

  Some voluntary services offer training or education programmes as part of their service to improve

  understanding of mental illness or the development of practical and employment skills.

  Example: Aware NI offer wellbeing programmes, to communities, schools, colleges and workplace settings across

  Northern Ireland, to support service users with mental health problems. They deliver Mental Health First Aid which offers two, 6 hour sessions on mental health to help individuals to recognise the signs of mental ill-health and know where to get help.
• Providing befriending services

  Some voluntary services offer befriending services, where volunteer befrienders offer supportive,

  reliable relationships to people who would otherwise be socially isolated.

  Example

  Praxis Care operates a volunteer befriending scheme to help people with mental ill health find companionship. Praxis Care recruit volunteers, train and match them with individuals in need.
• Providing counselling services

  A counsellor will listen to a person with mental illness without judgement. They can help an individual

  to honestly explore their feelings, acknowledge them and accept them. They can share coping methods

  to implement when anxious or overwhelmed and suggest different strategies and self-care techniques.

  Example:

  Inspire provides counselling services in their Self-Harm Intervention Programme
• Financial advice:


  Some voluntary services inform individuals with a mental illness if they are entitled to any financial

  help in the form of benefits. They can help them to claim those benefit entitlements, and, in some cases, they help to teach individuals good money management and budgeting.

  Example:

  Mind wise offers a ‘Mental Health and Money Advice’ online advice service, designed to help individuals to

  understand and manage their money.
• Providing support to families

  Families may need support if an individual needs to be hospitalised, this could be anything from getting financial help to explaining medical jargon and where to turn for support.

  Workshops and support groups enable parents to develop the skills they need to deal with daily challenges, such as managing challenging behaviour or improving their understanding of a condition

  which can reduce anxiety.

  Valuable respite services enable family carers to get a break from care role.
• Day support/Day centres

  Voluntary providers may run day centres where people with mental illnesses can attend and have the opportunity to meet with other people. There they can enjoy games, activities and social interaction, promoting their sense of enjoyment and fun.
• voluntary sector

  Fundraising events

  Events such as sponsored walks, quizzes, gala dinners or coffee mornings can provide vital income to ensure

  voluntary organisations can provide the services they offer. E.g. Mood walks for AWARE NI .Donations

  From families e.g. donations in lieu of flowers at a funeral or at a wedding- a donation to the charity instead

  of wedding favours at the table.
• Grants from businesses or Sponsorship

  Businesses offer grants to the voluntary organisation to help sustain the organisations to meet the needs of

  the individual who use their services. The money may also provide for equipment, computers or renovate

  their establishments. Usually in return for advertising e.g. their name included in brochures or on their

  website.
• Informal Sector


  Carers can get £76.75 a week if they care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they receive benefits

  such as DLA/PIPs. They do not have to be related to, or live with, the person they care for. This can be paid every four weeks.
• Private sector


  Direct payment by the individual

  Direct payments allow individuals to receive cash payments from their local authority instead of care services. This can give them much more flexibility and greater control of their support package. They can

  choose what services they want to use and arrange their care themselves e.g. CBT.
• Payments for the service by family and friends

  Family and friends may use their own savings or income to cover the cost of the care services for the service

  user. This money will be used to help provide professional care services such as hiring caregivers to ensure

  that the person with mental health issues baths, dresses and takes their medication.
• Private Health Insurance


  Health insurance is an insurance policy that covers the costs of private healthcare, from diagnosis to medical treatment. Individuals will pay a monthly subscription that covers all or some of the cost of treatment for mental health issues e.g. counselling or psychiatrist appointments that develop after their health insurance policy has begun. Private health insurance will not pay the cost of nursing homes or day centres.
• Statutory sector -local government through taxation


  The statutory sector is funded by the tax payer through the system of national taxation which exists in the

  UK whereby funds are controlled by central government. In Northern Ireland the funds are allocated to the executive at Stormont which also

  decides on the budget allocation for the Department of Health. NHS services are funded through tax that is paid by working age individuals.
• Bequests and donations


  The statutory sector can also be funded by bequests and donations e.g. money left in a will to a local hospital or mental health service.