Mental Health Help & Treatment
Mental health can affect everything we do, think, and feel in our lives. Whenever you’re struggling with your mental wellness, know that you aren’t going through it alone. In this day and age, there are multiple effective treatment plans for mental health problems that can make recovery possible. Now, you can access tailor-made mental health treatment plans that can set you on the path toward a positive and fulfilling future.
Read on to learn more about how mental health conditions are commonly treated, how to recognise when you may need support, and what you can do next.
How Do We Define Mental Health?
Our mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.Our mental health impacts how we feel about ourselves and our lives, how we think, and how we behave. It impacts:
- Our demeanour at work or school
- Our relationships with friends and family
- Our coping mechanisms when dealing with stressors
- Our ability to carry out our responsibilities
- Our physical health (e.g. heightened stress levels can increase
one’s chances of getting a stress-related illness)
Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction
ends up being the biggest step of your life
Tiptoe if you must, but take the step
Experiencing difficult emotions is expected from time to time. For most people, these feelings pass sooner or later and won’t cause any long-term problems. However, for some people, these negative feelings can gradually worsen over time and lead to the development of a mental health condition.
According to research, 1 in 6 people report experiencing symptoms of common mental health problems in any given week. Mental health conditions are likely affecting more people than you realise.
When you find yourself struggling with mental health, know that it’s not just “all in your head”. The stigma surrounding mental health issues has led other people to believe that seeking help will only bring them shame and judgment.
If your mental health problems are persistent and ongoing, the first and the most crucial step is to admit that you need support. Without this step, getting the right treatment will only be futile. The desire to get support should come first and foremost.
How are Mental Health Conditions Treated?
The first step is an assessment of your symptoms by a mental health professional like a psychiatrist. Afterwards, they can work with you to establish what the most effective treatments will be for your individual needs.
Most mental health treatment plans are evidence-based and structured according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. These kinds of treatments can help you find an approach that helps you bounce back and take care of your well-being.
Treatment Programmes
Expect therapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists to deliver mental health treatment programmes. Each programme is tailored to your needs and can be scaled up or scaled down depending on the level of support necessary for your recovery.
As each person suffers from mental health issues differently, there are also different treatment options that exist to cater to each one. Below, you’ll find the common evidence-based treatments done for mental health recovery.
Inpatient (residential)
In some cases where one needs intensive care, one may opt to stay at a mental health hospital on a residential basis. During your stay, you can receive round-the-clock care, expert therapy, well-being activities, and other effective treatments that can help you focus on your recovery. This setup allows you to focus on your recovery away from the stresses of everyday life within an environment that’s specifically designed for it.
Daycare and outpatient
This treatment programme involves attending a hospital or well-being centre for a set number of days, half-days, or hourly sessions to receive mental health treatment and therapy. This treatment type offers more flexibility and allows you to incorporate your recovery into your other responsibilities at home and work.
Therapy
Therapy allows you the dedicated time and space to talk through the difficulties you’ve experienced in your life and your current struggles. With the help of a trained therapist, you can learn to process and deal with difficulties as they arise, develop coping strategies to overcome upcoming stresses and create a healthier and more sustainable mindset to improve your mental health.
There are many different types of therapy options. The right one for you depends on your condition and other circumstances. The two common types of therapy used for mental health disorders include:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
This is based on the founding principle that thoughts and beliefs can affect behaviours and actions. In CBT, you learn to develop coping skills – so you can better deal with life problems that arise. It is used to treat a wide range of mental health disorders, including treatment for depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
This is derived from the core principles of CBT. It focuses on how individuals can learn to understand and accept themselves to reduce dysfunctional and distressing emotions. It can also be used to help people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, and personality disorders.
Therapy can be done in one of the following methods: on a one-to-one basis, with your family and friends, or as part of a group with others who are also in recovery.
Medication
Medication is not a cure for any mental health disorder, but it can help alleviate your symptoms and allow you to focus entirely on getting better. In this case, a consultant psychiatrist prescribes the medication one needs and the specific dosage. This complements therapy and can really help in managing the symptoms while you do the work in therapy. One example is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are antidepressant medications for people with depression or anxiety.
Wellness activities
In addition to these treatment programmes, you might also wish to engage in a range of wellness activities, which will help you stay healthy in mind, body, and spirit. These activities include yoga, meditation, exercise classes, and massage treatments.
When to Get Mental Health Help
If you notice that you’re persistently struggling with your mental health, it might be time to consider getting professional support. Here are some next steps.
Signs you’re struggling with your mental health
Each mental health disorder has its own varying set of unique symptoms. If you’re experiencing some of the following, it could be a sign that you need treatment:
- You no longer find joy in the things you previously love to do
- You’re overwhelmed with difficult emotions
- You constantly feel on edge, irritable, or sad and unable to change your mood.
- Your emotions are affecting your daily life in negative ways
- You contemplate thoughts about self-harm
Mental Health Diagnosis
If your symptoms persist, it’s crucial to get treatment and start your journey to feeling better as soon as possible. If you don’t know what to do first, you can start by getting an appointment with your GP or a psychiatrist near you. Through this, they can assess your symptoms, identify your mental health issues through a diagnosis, and create a treatment plan that caters to your specific needs.
It may seem intimidating at first, but if you have decided that you need support, then you’re in the right place. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and healing is indeed possible. You already took the first but most crucial step: seeking help. If you still think you’re on the fence, just know that the support you need is available when you finally decide to do so.
FREE Mental Health Assessment
If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health issues, there is hope and healing for you. You can receive treatment as an outpatient or inpatient and through one-on-one or support group therapy. We understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help and support.
We design personalised treatment plans that meet an individual’s unique needs and circumstances. We will work together to address your symptoms, help you develop coping strategies and enable you to live life to the full in a healthy and positive manner.
We also have a young people’s service which provides specialist mental health treatment exclusively for adolescents and young people.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free mental health assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
