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Mental Health in the UK The responses highlighted the fact that people view mental health problems as “mental illnesses” and mind'. They were seen as different from other illnesses, such as cancer. The British culture of'stiff upper lips' indicates that many are hesitant to seek treatment. Those with severe mental distress are often sent out of the area for treatment in a hospital. Treatment Mental health treatment in the UK is part of the National Health Service, which provides free quality healthcare for all, regardless of income. This includes accessing the GP, surgeries and hospitalization. The NHS has been around since 1948, and its goal is to bring quality medical care to the population of Britain. However, the NHS is not without its challenges. Patients with mental health issues report long waiting times to see an expert. The NHS must take action to ensure that patients receive prompt care. The NHS should also focus more on early intervention and prevention which can help patients with mental health problems avoid the more severe problems. Mental health issues can be a problem for anyone at any time. However certain groups are more vulnerable than others. This includes women, young people and LGBTQIA+. People living in low-income households are more likely to be afflicted by mental illness. People with mental health conditions like depression have a choice of treatment options. The NHS recommends self-help, talk therapy as well as medication. The type of depression sufferers will determine the type of medication prescribed. For example, the NHS can prescribe antidepressants to treat mild to moderate depression, and anti-anxiety medications for severe anxiety disorders. Despite the growing awareness of mental health issues in the UK stigma is still an issue. Many people are hesitant to seek treatment, and a lot do not receive the help they require. I Am Psychiatry has made efforts to lessen stigma, but there is still more to be done. The stigma is particularly damaging for young people. Mental health services need to be adequately resourced as current levels of investment are not sufficient to meet demand. The BMA insists on the government to increase the funding for mental health services and to set ambitious and quantifiable goals to increase the number of employees. These should include a robust and regular collection of workforce information by NHS Digital, a plan to recruit more mental health specialists, and meaningful measures for employees already employed to retain. Prevention Patients with mental health issues have many options for prevention. Talking therapies (also known as cognitive behavioral therapy) and psychiatric medicines are available. These services are provided by the NHS and certain local authorities in England. Many who use these services find them helpful and they are usually free. It is essential to remember that the majority of mental health problems can be treated and people can recover. Due to funding cuts the NHS and a variety of other organizations are unable to provide these services to the growing demand. This has resulted in lengthy waiting lists, and sometimes delays when it comes to getting the right treatment and help. Preventing mental illness is an essential part of prevention. This is especially important for children who are at greater risk of developing mental illnesses and experiencing severe symptoms. GPs are key in identifying and providing preventive treatment. In the UK, the National Health Service places a major emphasis on the prevention of mental health issues. This system was created in 1948 to provide free, high-quality healthcare to everyone. It includes mental healthcare alongside access to a doctor, surgery and other medical treatments. The system is under strain because of government budget cuts. But, it's a great system in general. It provides people with regular checks to talk about their mental health, which is extremely beneficial for those who are concerned or are at greater risk of developing a mental health issue. It also offers information and links to self-management advice and peer support services. There is also a heightened focus on stopping suicide. It is a major issue that affects people of all ages. However, it is most prevalent among young people and is one of UK's leading causes of premature deaths. In order to reduce the number of suicides, there is a lot of work to be completed. This includes training mental health workers and enhancing community-based support and ensuring that people get the assistance they require near to their homes. Support Anyone who has a problem with mental health can receive support and help. You can contact the NHS helplines if you are struggling or worried about someone or someone else. There is information on how to access NHS services on the NHS website. You can dial 999 if someone is in immediate danger. This will connect them with ambulance and police services. They can also visit the local hospital's A&E department, where they will receive medical treatment by medical experts. They will treat any signs that are physical and alert the local mental health team. Community mental health teams are for people who need more detailed, specialized care. These teams may include psychiatrists, a nurse, an occupational therapist, a psychologist and a care coordinator. They can also refer to local authorities' social services if the person requires assistance with food, housing or money. There are often long waiting lists for appointments with consultants. The government is trying to improve this situation. The Mental Health Act allows for the hospitalization of a person in the event of a risk of harming themselves or others. This option is only accessible to those who are considered to be in immediate danger of harm and have had a psychiatric evaluation. The government aims to improve the availability and quality of this service. Many people suffering from mental health issues find that alternative and complementary treatments can be beneficial. These kinds of therapies are offered by a number of charities. Hub of Hope can help you locate local assistance. The government's long term plan aims to ensure that people can get a comprehensive range of acute and crisis mental health services across England. This includes adult crisis and home treatment teams, making sure every area has a 24/7 service by 2021. A new universal 111 number will make it easier to access emergency mental health services. Safe havens, crisis cafes and other crisis alternatives to A&E and inpatient psychiatric services are readily available. Specialized liaison mental health teams in A&E departments and general hospital wards, to ensure that patients are getting the right treatment for their mental as well as physical health. Resources People with mental health issues can access a variety of NHS services that are both free and paid. These include psychiatrists who use evidence-based treatments, as psychologists and social workers. Psychiatrists are trained medically and can prescribe medications, while psychologists help patients manage their condition using therapy with talk. Many people who suffer from mental health issues struggle to get the assistance they require, and they may not know where to turn. There are numerous organizations that provide guidance and support in addition to specialist support. They include the Samaritans, Mind and Place2Be. People who suffer from anxiety or depression are advised to talk to with a therapy. Suicidal patients should dial the suicide hotline or visit a crisis center. While there have been improvements in NHS mental health services since the COVID-19 pandemic, overall demand continues to exceed supply. Budget cuts have contributed to the issue. The NHS Long Term Plan contains plans to establish an unrestricted local fund of at least PS2.3bn a year at the end of 2023/24. This is only a small part of the total NHS budget. Despite these challenges there is still much that can done to improve mental healthcare services. JSNAs can be used to identify the primary mental health requirements of a community and can be used to guide decisions about the funding, services and delivery. NHS England has developed a toolkit that can help mental health commissioners to develop local JSNAs. NHS Digital also has a monthly database of mental health services, including hospital stays, referrals and other activities. As a result of the pandemic it has led to an increase in the number of people being referred for treatment and assessment. This has put stress on NHS mental health services and a lack of capacity in many areas means that patients are being sent far from home for treatment. This affects older people, children and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. Public Health England has been keeping track of the mental health of the entire population throughout the pandemic, using a range of close-to-real-time surveys. It has also found that the self-reported state of mental health has decreased compared to levels prior to the pandemic.