Roles of Practitoners in Providing Care and Support

GP

Be your first point of contact- those with emotional/psychological conditions will often speak to their GP about their problems first.
Initial assessment- can provide the first diagnosis of a mental health condition, first step in beginning to cope with it.
Prescribe medication- to help control their mental health condition, such as antidepressants.
Arrange referrals- to other treatments/services if they believe the patient needs specialist treatment for their mental health e.g. counselling, a CPN, a psychologist.

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Specialist diagnosis- wider understanding, diagnosis of client's mental health condition and can offer an assessment.
Provides counselling- beneficial for someone suffering from a mental health condition as it allows them to discuss their problem to begin working towards coping with it.
Writes reports- updates these reports on client's mental health condition to keep track of their progression, whether their illness has deteriorated or improved, may be used in court or care plan.
Liaises with other professionals- to discuss any problems or queries about the service user in which they feel they need help of another professional on the mental health team for the benefit of the patient.
Attend court hearings- if a client has committed a criminal offence they may have to verify their mental health condition. Can also attend mental health tribunals to look at the detention of a mental health patient.

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Organising care plan- to identify the needs of the mental health patient and how they will be met. Will also communicate with the family and encourage them to do whats best for the patient.
Organise a case conference- with other medical or social workers to consider client's needs and make decisions to bestsuit them. May involve becoming an advocate for a vulnerable service user who needs more support.
Organise accomodation- this is intervention for those with a mental health condition who are unable to care for themselves e.g. severe alcoholic. May also work here and encourage the development of independent living skills.
Inspections of facilities- ensure care and support provided for clients with mental health problems is satisfactory, inspect shelttered accomodation.

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Request assessments- by other members of the multi-disciplinary team if they feel that the service user has additional underlying issues e.g. psychologists. Allows them to intervene before the client's condition worsens.
Support- provide support for service users through running support groups (e.g. counselling) that can be used as a listening ear for any problems their ill-mental health is causing them. Also extends to informal carers of the patient who are struggling to cope.
Information and advice- for the client on their mental illness and treatment available to them, keeps them fully informed about their condition thus helping them cope better.
Acute/emergency care- out of hours for those suffering from a mental health condition to ensure their well-being is always paramount.

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Professional counselling- trained to provide this on psychological and emotional issues (e.g. stress management, relaxation therapy) that are affecting an individual's mental health.
Take part in case conferences- with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure there is appropriate support and treatment avaliable for the mental health patient.
Provide advice- in the form of literature allowing them to have a better understanding of their mental health condition.
Provide therapy- that may help a patient cope with their mental illnes e.g. CBT, art therapy.

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Provides talking therapies- gives reassurance and helps a person with a mental health problem effectively deal with their condition.
Write reports- on the service user's mental progress, will be kept as data.
Report concerns- regarding a client to the nursing and medical team if they believe their is potential danger and an intervention is needed.
Provide literature- to support therapy sessions, may give 'homework' activities relevant to therapy therefore encouraging self-help giving a patient some independence.

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Develop skills- for independence or work related skills that may help them re-enter society coping more effectively with their mental health condition.
Carry out assessments- of an individual's workplace to determine the effect it may have on a patient's needs as the stressful environment may have a negative effect on their mental health condition.
Do activities- that may make working and living with a mental health condition much easier e.g. art therapy.
Assessment- may carry out an assessment of a mental health patient's needs to determine what aids they may need within their home and work to help support them.

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Personal care- may assist a mental health patient with their personal care if they are unable to do it themselves e.g. bathing, washing hair.
Mobility assistance- offer help and assistance, are trained to use equipment and adaptations.
Medication assistance- can not provide medication but may prompt or remind a patient to take their antidepressants.
Assist group activities- therapy, workshops and social support in day centres, sometimes in the home to encourage them to socialise whilst coping with their illness.

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