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