Jan 23, 2016
COMMUNITY INTEGRATIONCOMMUNITY INTEGRATIONOFOF
MENTAL HEALTH TEAMMENTAL HEALTH TEAM
Dr.Lorcan Martin, Consultant Psychiatrist
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
• Despite progress in treatment of Mental illness, stigma remains
• Marked lack of access to clear, reliable information
• Multi-faceted approach needed• 4 specific areas initially identified in
sector covered by Athlone Community Mental Health Team (pop ≈ 30,000; urban/rural)
PROBLEMS IDENTIFIEDPROBLEMS IDENTIFIED
Lack of Knowledge & Awareness
Difficulty Accessing & Reluctance to Attend
Equity for Deaf Persons
Lack of Service User Involvement
SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS
Mental Health Awareness Programme
Difficulty Accessing & Reluctance to Attend
Equity for Deaf Persons
Lack of Service User Involvement
SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS
Mental Health Awareness Programme
Primary Care Consultation Liaison Service
Equity for Deaf Persons
Lack of Service User Involvement
SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS
Mental Health Awareness Programme
Primary Care Consultation Liaison Service
MHS for Deaf Service Users
Lack of Service User Involvement
SOLUTIONSSOLUTIONS
Mental Health Awareness Programme
Primary Care Consultation Liaison Service
MHS for Deaf Service Users
Consultative Group
MH AWARENESS MH AWARENESS PROGRAMMEPROGRAMME
• 2-year programme• Held in local hotel• Advertised in local media• Format
– Short presentation– Q & A session– Discussion– Refreshments
• Topics varied - not just disorders
PRIMARY CARE CONSULTATION PRIMARY CARE CONSULTATION LIAISON SERVICELIAISON SERVICE
• Weekly sessions by Consultant Psychiatrist & CMHN in 2 Primary Care Setting
• Clients/appointments set by GP
• Full access to Mental Health Team
• Wide range of psychopathology seen
• Clients seen and discharged faster
• Waiting lists reduced
MHS FOR DEAF SERVICE MHS FOR DEAF SERVICE USERSUSERS
• Partnership with National Association for Deaf People (NAD)
• 5 members of Team trained in Sign Language & Deaf Community culture
• MH Awareness Programme with NAD
• Clients now seen without interpreter• Joint care with Social Worker from
NAD
CONSULTATIVE GROUPCONSULTATIVE GROUP
• Continuous group in partnership with MHT
• Members represent varied age/gender/Dx
• Training given to Chairperson/Secretary• MHT member not present at meetings• Chairperson represents group at
Management meetings• Various issues addressed• Peer support group• Client survey
OTHER INITIATIVESOTHER INITIATIVES
• MH Awareness programme and staff training in local College
• Development of programme for clients suffering from Eating Disorders
• Development of various training and employment programmes
• Community events, eg fashion show, music evenings
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
• More than 2 years required to remove stigma and fully integrate MHS into community
• However, first steps taken and results seen– Consistent and widespread support for
Awareness Programme– Local media support– Greater community involvement in MH
related activities– Liaison with other agencies much improved