No health without mental health

by MasterBlaster on September 19, 2011

Care Companies Minister Paul Burstow introduces the Government’s Mental Well being Method

Tagged as: Health, Mental, without

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

termite1944 September 19, 2011 at 11:07 am: Mental health care needs to start with doctors who speak good English and listen to patients without a clocking ticking!

Doctors depend too much on old notes and need to get to know their patient and build a good relationship.

Talking therapies are usless, patients need help and support, and be able to see a psychiatrist when they need to, not every three months at the quacks convenience! Psychiatric clinics should be run like GP surgeries so you can get an appointment when you need it!
departmentofhealth September 19, 2011 at 11:34 am: @jjpsych1 The strategy and its companion document Delivering Better Mental Health Outcomes for people of all ages specifically address the link between physical and mental health (p 23 of the main document and Objective 3 in the companion document) and they can be found on the DH website. Search for – No health without mental health.
departmentofhealth September 19, 2011 at 12:31 pm: @jjpsych1 The strategy and its companion document Delivering Better Mental Health Outcomes for people of all ages specifically address the link between physical and mental health (p 23 of the main document and Objective 3 in the companion document) and they can be found on the DH website. Search for – No health without mental health.
jjpsych1 September 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm: Granted, but there is no mention of liaison services, and equally no mention of providing better access to psychological therapies for inpatients. I find it frustrating that it seems easier now for someone with mild depression in the community to access CBT than someone on an old age inpatient unit with a moderate depression waiting for a social care package.The fact that IAPT is increasingly being provided by the independent sector with no clear links to mental health trusts is also worrying.
departmentofhealth September 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm: @jjpsych Paul Burstow was referring in the video to the key themes of the MH Strategy rather than detailed observations and talking therapies is one intervention amongst others to help people with mental health problems, although it is evidence-based and has been shown to help many people. But overall No Health Without Mental Health takes a broad approach covering all age groups and people receiving treatment in all health and social care settings.
jjpsych1 September 19, 2011 at 1:44 pm: Unfortunately talking therapies aren’t a universal cure/prevention for mental illness, and overemphasis of this in the strategy is disappointing. Mr Burstow talks about the interdependency of physical and mental health but doesn’t mention the importance of liaison services, or physical healthcare for those with SMI.
I’m afraid this is mental health ‘lite’ in a publically palatable form. If mental health is just as important as physical health to this govt, then where is Andrew Lansley anyway?