Mental health care provision in Shropshire is subject to many of the challenges that exist nationwide such as difficulty finding staff for services and low levels of funding and therefore waiting lists can be longer than any of us would like. Nevertheless I am proud to be part of the NHS provision for the most vulnerable of children and young adults here in our CAMHS service. I work with many people who share the same vision as I do- providing high quality mental health care to all those who need it.
NHS services that can be accessed by self-referral in Shropshire (as well as nationwide) include the IAPT service (psychology /therapy support) as well as Kooth (online youth support) and BEAM (drop in mental health support services) There are also local Autism support services in Telford and Shropshire run by charities. ‘Mind’ and ‘Young Minds’ are charities that also provide support, advice and care to those with mental health concerns/The ‘Recovery college’ is a great initiative that provides workshops and short courses focussing on learning skills to maintain mental wellbeing. Some of their workshops focus on social interactions and wellbeing (ie. Arts/craft creation) and some are more skills based (i.e. mindfulness)
The NHS services are still the best way to access care if you have severe mental illness or are at high risk to yourself. This is because NHS professionals work as part of a team to provide 24/7 access to mental health care where necessary. NHS services can also provide multidisciplinary team input, such as a mental health nurse to visit in between meetings with a Psychiatrist. If you feel you are in need of these services it is best to visit your GP who can make a referral. Alternatively you can call the access team on 0808 196 4501 or email [email protected]
If you have mental health needs and you wish to be seen on the NHS but it is not deemed ‘urgent’ there is likely to be a wait to be seen. Conditions include depression and anxiety.
Some people choose to access private Psychiatrists or psychologists for support for their mental health. This is for a variety of reasons. Often people want to choose when they will be seen or access care at a time when they feel they are ready. In such cases the waiting lists might not be suitable for their needs. Others choose to access private services to feel more in control of their experience, and to have choice over whom they see. I enjoy and benefit from working in both sectors, as it keeps up my expertise and allows me to help the widest range of individuals. Privately it is satisfying to be able to work closely with motivated individuals and families to provide deliverable treatment plans. I work with a few trusted providers of other services in order to provide clients with a range of options for psychological support.
ADHD and Autism assessment waiting lists have improved, but given the time pressure of getting support for children prior to exams or school transitions, parents may choose to access private assessment and start treatment whilst waiting for their NHS referral to go through.