Mental Health Support - The Health Centre's Perspective

Background

Imperial is a toxic enviroment for mental health Pressure  triggers stress, which triggers the

emergence of mental illlness in those who are vulnerable

The pressures of the environment are not helped by current social and economic pressures, nor by unrealistic expectations of what can be delivered 

What sort of mental health problems do we see?

Anxiety

Depression

OCD

Bipolar Disorder

Stress Reactions

Eating Disorders

PTSD

Bereavement Reactions

ADHD

Aspergers

Transient mental health difficulties

What Can the Health Centre Offer

A multidisciplinary team with lots of expertise Hopefully a diagnosis - stress, distress, mental illness In-house psychiatric assessment where there is: 1. diagnostic

uncertainty, 2. lack of response to treatment, 3. high risk, 4. need for a tertiary referral e.g. ADHD/Aspergers 

Referal to local mental health services for those at high risk or with complex needs e.g. Crisis team/CMHT/long term psychotherapy

Referal to in-house counselling, psychotherapy or CBT Liaison with or referal to other Imperial services - DAS, SCS Liaison with departments re exams, mitigating circumstances,

fitness to study etc

Important Messages

Managing expectations is sometimes very difficult

We cannot offer open access. It is not a drop in service and those with urgent problems can be seen in the morning or afternoon triage clinics

People with suicidal ideas don't always need to be seen immediately. Those with active intent do.

If you are worried discuss the individual with the duty doctor

A certificcate for mitigating circumstances is not an emergency

A patient's perspective of what is an emergency may be different from ours

Immediate (or rather early) assessment is available, immediate treatment is not - there is a 6 week wait for in-housepsychotherapy, a 4-6 month wait for in-house CBT and a 6 to 12 month wait for a tertiary referral for Aspergers or ADHD and a 3-6 month wait for long term psychotherapy

How do you manage those with mental health difficulties

Be compassionate, but objective

Know your own limits

Know who to refer to and how

If you don't know what to do, know who to ask

Set boundaries - don't be a magician and don't be manipulated

Consider whether those who require too much of your time are really fit to be studying

Look after yourself!