Mental health unit

LegacyUser

I was just wondering if anyone here knew anything about referrals to the mental health unit. A friend of mine has just come back from the Doctor really upset. She told her becuase she started self-harming again and that she had been to see a councellor for a few months, that she needs to be referred on to see some one in the mental health unit/team...What does this mean and what does it entail?
Like she isn't in a wild bad way, in fact I'd go as far as to say that she's in a far better place than she was a year ago....
What can I do to help her?

jellyboy

Point her in the direction of her gp..referral

Hold her hand and not pass judment...and make space for urself.......;)

LegacyUser

I have done that, It's the GP that wants to refer her...But she dosen't know what to expect...
I do understand that she does need help, but I don't know what to expect and neither does she, which is worrying her even more!
I've tried googling but have found nothing, she has my full support and she knows that!

jellyboy

Hi op....Im really sorry i misread your post...i was thinking of somthing else when i wrote it...


What she can expect? to be treated with kindess and compassion..they have huge experince in dealing with all issuses and have a vast array of treatments that they can treat patients with...


they understand the huge anxiety and indeed the socail stigma that can somtimes be a part of the mental health system and will try to help

.the only downside to mental health irish style could be the wait for appointments

But as above,try to keep space for yourself...projection is dangerous side effect of life...

And again sorry...

LegacyUser

hey it's grand!

Basically we were wondering what she would have to go through, would it just be like going to see a councellor all over again or would she have to go through different types of assessments??

We do give each other plenty of space, thank god we got a great understanding in that respect, but at the same time she knows I'm there and I know she's there if we need anything.

sam34

she will be offered an out-patients appointment with a doctor. they will take a full psychiatric and medical history and decide from there what is appropriate management.

she may be given meds, or offered out-patient follow-up, or community nurse etc, depending on her needs and whats available locally.

LegacyUser

That dosen't sound too bad. I think that she was worried about ending up in some sort of institution or something.

I know that she has been on medication for the past while, but in my opinion she hasn't changed a bit...

She has her moods, so to speak! Like us all...but she goes from extreme highs to lows. I am genuninely worried about her, I know she needs help but I also know that she won't go for help if her parents find out. It's partly because of them that she's in this situation!

Abi

10523 wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone here knew anything about referrals to the mental health unit. A friend of mine has just come back from the Doctor really upset. She told her becuase she started self-harming again and that she had been to see a councellor for a few months, that she needs to be referred on to see some one in the mental health unit/team...What does this mean and what does it entail?
Like she isn't in a wild bad way, in fact I'd go as far as to say that she's in a far better place than she was a year ago....
What can I do to help her?

Hi OP, you're already being a great friend to her just by asking here.


I've been an out-patient in the past, and theres nothing to be afraid of. Its simiply combined counselling and likely to mean medication too. It doesn't mean shes losing the plot or anything, which is a common misconception about receiving out-patient care. They are just more qualified to help her.

I have been treated on and off in the past for depression / anxiety, and if I remember correctly, self harming are linked to both. I won't get into the nitty gritty of it all with you, but she'll be fine. Reassure her that there is absolutely nothing to worry about, and make sure that she makes all of her appointments. Reason being, she will be given just the right amount of medication to do her till the next visit.


Just keep doing what you are doing for her, being there

bumpintraining

Hi OP everyone will have a different experience of the Irish Mental Health Services unfortunetly mine were not positive. I suffered with anxiety/ depression since I was 16 and I have nothing positive to say about any of the mental health professionals involved in my case, I found them all very cold and uncaring on a human level with their only interest in medicating me.
For that reason I chose to work with my GP and have been seeing an excellent sympathetic cognitive behavioural therapist; and from this have seen vast improvements.
As I said all experiences are different and I wish you and your friend every luck with her recovery;)

Fiend-Foe

I found dead ends everywhere, but CBT really really helped.

Best of luck OP. I'm sure your friend will be ok. Just stick by her.

LegacyUser

Thank you all for replying...

She is alot calmer today even though I think that the Doc may have worked her up a little yesterday with the referral.

She has opened up to me today, saying that she reckons that she does need a bit of help to get her through, but dosen't feel that the meds and councelling have helped her much so far.

Thank you all!