Who's Who In Mental Health
There are lots of people that can help you overcome stress and mental health problems. Sometimes it is not clear who they all are and what their jobs are for. It is OK to ask them to explain this to you - Ask them to tell you how they can help you .
General Practitioner
Your General Practitioner (GP) will know you and your family background quite well. This can help them understand your problems but GPs do not have a lot of time to talk through problems. Your GP will decide if you need to be sent to see specialist (someone who has expert knowledge and skills) - or a specialist service ( perhaps a team of people that have knowledge and skills) that can help you. You can check on the training and registration of your health professional at link to Royal college of General Practitioners and General Medical Council
Health Visitors
Health visitors work with GPs and Practice Nurses to help you take care of your children until they are 5 years old. They will give your children jags and tests for their eye sight and hearing. They are skilled at giving advice on post natal depression and parenting skills. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to Health Visitors and Regulatory body
Practice nurses
Practice Nurses work in GP surgeries and can be very understanding about peoples mental health problems but may not be very confident about dealing with mental health problems. Sometimes GPs arrange for people with milder problems to talk them over with the Practice Nurse. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to Practice nurse and regulatory body
Clinical Psychologist
You may be referred to a clinical psychologist for talking therapies. This is a psychologist who has decided to specialise in mental health problems. They are experts in the use of many different types of talking therapies, the most common approach is cognitive behavioural therapy. This is usually known as CBT. Psychologists do not prescribe medication but focus on helping people address the main reasons for the way they are feeling. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to link to British Psychological Association
Psychiatrist
You may be referred to a Psychiatrist. This is a medical Doctor that has decided to specialise in mental health problems. Generally, they focus on the biological causes of illness. They are more likely to deal with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and dementia. They are expert in the use of drugs and can often combine these with talking therapies. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to Royal College of Psychiatry and Medical Council
Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
A CBT therapist is usually a person that has worked as an occupational therapist (OT), nurse or social worker and has gone on to do some further training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. They are experts in talking therapies and will help you understand that the way you think about your problems affects what you feel and do. You can check out more about CBT at link to CBT info on wedsite. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to British Association of Behavioural Psychotherapists
Community psychiatric nurse
A CPN is a nurse who has specialised in mental health problems. In Glasgow they tend to work in Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) but sometimes they have special roles linking with general hospitals and GPs. They are experts at administering drugs, giving advice on drugs and talking therapies. You can find out more about the CMHT teams in the south east of Glasgow on the health website - link. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to Royal College of Nursing and regulatory body
Occupational Therapist
An OT specialises in using activity to help people with health problems. They will help people with mental health problems develop their life skills such as coping with work, looking after their homes, cooking and shopping, and having lots of supportive friends. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to College of Occupational Therapy and Health Professions Council
Mental Health Pratitioners, Clinical Specialists etc.
Sometimes when people work in Specialist Teams they are called a specialist name. Sometimes this is to let people know that they are all equally specialist in mental health. Most will have a background in nursing, OT, social work, or counselling. If you are unsure then it is OK to ask them to explain their job to you.
Social Workers
Social workers work alongside therapists. They help with the social problems that often go hand in hand with mental health problems. They can help with benefits, arranging support and access to services that can help with practical problems. You can check on the registration of your health professional at link to professional body and regulatory body
Counsellors
Counsellors work in the GP practice and are skilled at talking therapies. Most counsellors use Person Centred Counselling (PCT). They usually work with people who have mild mental health problems or bereavement reactions. You can check on the registration of your health professional at the British Association of Counselling (BAC).
Befrienders
Befrienders will come and visit you in your home or take you out for trips in the local area beside your home. They will help you build good local support and help you do the activities you need to do to look after yourself. They are ususally employed by Voluntary Organisations like Glasgow Association for Mental Health, the Richmond Fellowship and the Scottish Association for Mental Health. You can find out more about these services at their websites.
You
You are the most important person in mental health. You are the one who will recognise the problems, try to deal with them, seek help when appropriate, learn ways to handle the problems and work at putting them into practice. If you work with a therapist, that therapist will help put you on the right lines but it will be you who makes the difference. If you look at the assessment section of this website you can learn to be your own therapist and take action to sort out your problems.
