How do professionals help with mental health

Managing mental health issues can often feel very lonely as an individual. Mental health problems aren’t a physical illness with clear and obvious symptoms like a cold or flu, so it can be difficult for a person who is struggling internally to express their emotions and experiences to others. In the beginning, budding mental health concerns might just seem like a few tough days that a person tries to cope with independently. In time, a person dealing with mental health issues might isolate themselves or find it difficult to socialise, especially if they are dealing with depression or anxiety.

Understanding how to access support from mental health professionals can help you signpost your people to appropriate support. Today, we’ll provide a breakdown of where to seek professional mental health support for different presenting issues.

Types of mental health professionals

There are a variety of mental health professionals who cater their care to specific needs. Here are some of the different types of mental health professionals that can offer support and guidance.

Your doctor (GP)

A person can visit a general practitioner (GP) for support with their mental health in the same way that they might visit a GP for a physical health issue they are concerned with. A GP can assess symptoms to provide a diagnosis, offer support (whether it be talking therapies or medication), suggest local support groups and even refer a person to specialist support if necessary.

Community mental health teams

Community Mental Health Teams (commonly referred to as CMHTs) can provide specialist mental health support, typically for those needing complex, long-term care. Typically, a person will be referred to a CMHT by a GP after their initial assessment determines that they require specialist care. These teams care for people in the community who struggle with long-term mental health issues or need support that a GP cannot provide due to the complexity of presentation.

Key workers

If there are several components to your care, for example a GP, psychologist and a social worker, you may be assigned a key worker. Key workers are professionals who coordinate specific, tailored support for people whose mental health needs are complex and multifaceted. They act as a single and defined point of contact for the individual to speak with and can liaise with the other professionals providing individual support. As the main point of contact, they work with the individual, their loved ones and other professionals with whom the individual is in contact to personalise and develop care plans. Care plans may be focused on a person’s health issues, financial troubles, and/or emotional or social needs. The key worker is responsible for ensuring that the rest of the multidisciplinary team are completing their role in the care plan.

Community mental health nurses

Working across a variety of locations, often including in people’s homes, community mental health nurses (CMHNs) are registered nurses who offer support to individuals in the community. They provide care by visiting people in their homes or in local clinics and community centres. Much like key workers, the role focuses on building relationships with people who require mental health support alongside their relatives and carers if necessary. As well as helping individuals with possible medication requirements, CMHNs are trained to identify whether a person is at risk to themselves or others and can provide appropriate support.

Community mental health pharmacists

In collaboration with CMHTs and CMHNs, Community Mental Health Pharmacist ensure that people in the community who struggle with complex mental health issues receive the best suited medication possible. They make sure that the delivery of mental health medication in communities meets national standards and that the medication prescribed facilitates maximum benefits and minimal risk.

Counsellors

Someone who has visited their GP for mental health support might be referred for counselling support. Typically, the person will be referred for a type of talking therapy, which may take place in-person, via live-chat, telephone or even video call. The counsellor will provide non-judgemental support and empathy and will work collaboratively with the individual to find solutions or coping skills to manage their problems.

Types of counselling and psychotherapy include (but are not limited to) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Person-Centred Counselling. Some might access counselling via a GP referral; others may seek private counselling. People who have access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) might access counselling through this pathway.

Health visitors

Operating in a more specific role, health visitors are focused on supporting parents with their mental health, before and after childbirth. Often, they will specifically support those experiencing perinatal and postnatal depression. They ensure that the mental health of parents is supported throughout the process of raising a newborn so they can provide adequate care to their children.

As well as this, health visitors conduct clinical interventions for caregivers and children (typically infants) to assess the relationship. This prevents the mental health issues of carers worsening due to an early fractured relationship with their child.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are qualified with approximately 5-6 years medical training and 6 years of further training in psychiatry and its sub-specialities. Working alongside other health professionals (including community mental health teams, nurses, occupational health professionals, etc) psychiatrists specialise in diagnosing and providing treatment for specific mental health issues. With extensive experience of mental health presentations and an understanding of different schools of psychology, psychiatrists assess each person as a unique case. Treatment may involve medication or psychological intervention to enable the individual to overcome issues. The challenges the individual is facing may be historic or may be presently occurring in the here and now.

Many psychiatrists are trained to provide specialist treatment to different groups of people, including children. If a psychiatrist wishes to admit someone to hospital against their will, particularly if they identify that the individual poses a threat to themselves or others, they require the approval of a social worker and a doctor. Like in most other mental health services, a GP will first refer a person for an assessment with an occupational therapist who will decide if they require a psychiatrist.

Psychologists

While the terms psychologist and psychiatrist are often used interchangeably, there are some significant differences in their roles. Unlike psychiatrists who are medically trained and provide diagnosis and medication, psychologists typically hold a postgraduate qualification in a chosen psychological specialism.

Psychologists focus on studying people’s behaviours, thoughts and feelings, and how they manifest in an individual’s interactions and reactions to different situations. They primarily focus on the individual’s day-to-day function and their psychological development to provide appropriate therapeutic support. Psychologists and counsellors both utilise therapeutic interventions to overcome common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and trauma.

Using evidence-based techniques, they will encourage those in their care to utilise the skills they develop over the course of their treatment to overcome challenges in their lives and improve the elements with which they are dissatisfied.

Social workers

Social workers are a vital form of support for individuals suffering with poor mental health or families with complex needs. They focus on ensuring that individuals and families have the necessary resources to navigate everyday life and overcome the associated challenges. They assess housing needs, employment status, a person’s rights and assist people who are struggling to navigate health systems. Social workers often protect vulnerable individuals and families, particularly by safeguarding children and adults from abuse or other dangerous situations.

Specialist coaches

With a greater focus on goal-based development, trained mental health specialist coaches help individuals manage stress and build resilience to achieve personal goals. They accomplish this by increasing an individual’s focus on present issues and evaluating how they can reach future goals. A coach will support by establishing strategies and action plans to overcome common personal challenges such as low confidence, lack of motivation, or anxiety.

Coaching can be used as a complimentary technique to counselling; it helps reframe an individual’s self-limiting thoughts, so they are more positive and constructive, which enables effective coping and enhanced life skills. It may involve a holistic assessment of an individual’s current wellbeing, including aspects like their diet and physical health.

Approved social workers

As a branch of mental health social workers, Approved Social Workers make up 95% of Approved Mental Health Professionals. While they share many duties with mental health social workers, they receive more specific and specialised training to carry out tasks under the Mental Health Order 1986 and Mental Health Act 2007.

In cases where a person is dealing with severe mental health issues and may be a risk to themselves and others, they can recommend a compulsory hospital stay. Before this however, they will review suitable community options to provide care to the person in need of support.

Pastoral counselling

For those who come from certain religious backgrounds, a mental healthcare professional who can adhere to and incorporate religious beliefs into the administration of their care may be required. Someone’s religious beliefs could play a huge part in how responsive they are to certain forms of treatment. Pastoral counselling offers a form of counselling that focuses on spiritual wellbeing along with mental health. Using scripture and teachings, it can offer the person a more tailored framework within which they can participate in their community, achieve their goals alongside relevant guidelines and improve their overall wellbeing without neglecting their spiritual wellbeing.

How an Employee Assistance Programme can help

Using HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), users are able to access 24/7 clinically approved and accredited counselling to improve their mental wellbeing. Covering a range of topics, whether it be for general mental health and through the use of goal-oriented talking therapies, CCBT and specialised counselling services regarding financial and legal advice and more, our counsellors are fully equipped as trained professionals to support an individual’s mental health. Even in the most severe cases, where specialised services and support are required, our team of counsellors can refer and signpost an individual to the correct support they need.

Conclusion

It can feel as though there is a lack of support and resources regarding mental health, especially as cases become more specialised and pressing. However, there are a host of services that people in need can access, it is just a case of knowing what you need and taking the first step to seek help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to access professional mental health support

To access mental health support, it is recommended that you either contact your GP to book an appointment, call 111 for information and advice, or in a critical situation, call 999, visit A&E or call The Samaritans (or another appropriate crisis service). If you are seeking general assistance with your mental health from a professional, your GP can refer or signpost you to support, you can complete a self-referral to connect with talking therapies or you can research local options.

If you have access to HA | Wisdom Wellbeing’s EAP service, you can also connect with a counsellor for mental wellbeing support 24/7, 365-days a year.

What professional mental health suits me best?

To understand which type of mental health professional would be best to connect with, it is best you are first referred to a GP or a professional who can make a wellbeing assessment and recommend the necessary services.

What professional support should I seek if I’m worried about another person’s mental wellbeing?

If a loved one or someone close to is struggling with their mental health, you can accompany them to a GP appointment to support them and see what support can be offered. Another option is speaking to Community Mental Health Teams and Support Workers for additional support and guidance.