Mental Health Directory
Caring for Someone who is Experiencing a Mental Health Problem
When a member of your family or someone you know has a mental health crisis it can be a bewildering and frightening experience. As with any illness, the carer giver take on the burdens, pick up the pieces, do lots of worrying, often not knowing where to turn and what to do. Often, they feel like they are walking on eggshells which can be exhausting, frustrating and upsetting.
Mental illness can happen to anyone and thankfully, a lot of the stigma attached to mental illness has now gone. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed if someone close to you has an episode of mental Illness.
Remember that as many as one in four people will experience mental health problems in any year, according to National Statistics.(2001 Mental Health Among Adults)
What to do if a loved one is experiencing an episode of mental illness
The first thing to do is not to panic.
If you are very worried about the person who is unwell:
- contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24
- Encourage the person having the mental health crisis to call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or First Crisis if you can’t wait to see a GP. These organisations are staffed by people trained to talk to those experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression.
- Or call 999 if you think the person’s physical health is at risk (e.g. if the person has taken an overdose or injury) or there is a risk of physical violence.
- Or contact the Doctor of the person who is unwell and make an emergency appointment. You may be offered an appointment with another Doctor.
- Or contact the social services emergency out of hours team on 0141 xxx xxxx
- If the person is already known to health/social services, contact their social worker or community psychiatric nurse.
- Remember that some people who experience a mental health crisis do not have recurrence of the experience
It’s important to re-assure the person having the mental health crisis that in time they will in probably feel better. Try and treat the situation in a practical and realistic way and try and normalise the situation into daily life.
New Directory of Mental Health Services!!
A new Directory of Mental Health Services specifically for Renfrewshire is now available!
Charities have got together with Renfrewshire Council and the Renfrewshire Health Partnership to produce this listing of over 70 services that can be accessed by people with mental health conditions, from emergency mental health treatment to counselling to looking after your money and finding help in getting back into work.
The Directory is free and will be available from Amy at the Carers Centre 0141 887 3643
and from RAMH 0141 847 8900
Click here to download your own A5 copy of the Directory.
Click here to download your own larger size A4 version of the Directory
