Amy Winehouse passes away.

[Huguenot]

Where are mental health services done well?

[DJKillaQueen]

I think the only aspect that is done well is the prescribing of anti-depressants (or other drugs). You'll get those right away from a GP. You may then be referred an area mental health team who if you are lucky may visit you a couple of times a week for a short while.

You will wait anything up to six months for counselling (and it will be pot luck as to whether you get a counsellor that is right for you) and be allowed a maximum of 16 sessions usually and for CBT as Otta says six sessions. Many people with mental health issues have taken years to get there and similarly need years of support to get well, not just from those who treat mental health, but from other support groups that can help get their life back in control or on some kind of forward track.

Many people who develop mental health problems are in a situation where they have little or no family support, have become isolated, are suffering financial hardship - the Maudsley for example has a crisis scheme that gives food to people for a month whilst some way is found to try and make it possible for them to survive on their basic benefits (single people on JSA being the people tpyically most affected). If you struggle to eat properly then how can you get well.

There is a lot of ignorance about mental health issues and the range of mental health problems that people can suffer from.

[Otta]

I genuinely don't know where it's done well, but that is no reason to carry on doing it badly.

[Frankito]

Raising awareness is always a good thing and there have been some campaigns recently where high profile people have 'fessed up' to suffering. We need more of this as well as lots more investment into longer term care for those afflicted. How to do this effectively... Hmm, not sure?

[Huguenot]

I totally agree Otta, but that's not the way public services work.

The tax burden is generally knocking around the peak that the community will accept - so then it's a question of how much gets spent on what - welfare, education, health etc. etc.

If we assume that healthcare is a fixed budget, then mental health expenditure is a question of triage surely?

What spending should be cut in order to find more for mental health, and what's the cost/benefit calculation compared with other healthcare services?

[Otta]

I wouldn't take from any other health care, but there are definitely areas I would take from. That is a whole other discussion though.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

"You will wait anything up to six months for counselling..."

That's a trifle optimistic in my experience.

[DJKillaQueen]

It probably is in many areas PGC. H asked what might be the benefit of finding more resources......well if people can be got well, they won't have to claim more expensive benefits like incapacity or ESA, and in turn may be able to work again and pay taxes. Poor self-esteem is a factor with depression....and obviously that is a barrier to many things. I think it's an investment worth making.

[ElDuderino]

Is Amy Winehouse really dead? Jeez, I though it was Lily Allen.

[tallulah71]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Damned shame. Was never a fan of her music because

> it was a put on voice. She had a massive talent

> though.

>

> If only it could have been Pete instead.

? Put on? You what? What was her talent in then, Otta? Lovely to wish another person dead too! Go Otta!!