COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH TEAM Dr Lorcan

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH TEAM Dr. Lorcan Martin, Consultant Psychiatrist

INTRODUCTION • 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 IDENTIFIED Lack of Knowledge & Awareness Difficulty Accessing & Reluctance to Attend Equity for Deaf Persons Lack of Service User Involvement

SOLUTIONS Mental Health Awareness Programme Difficulty Accessing & Reluctance to Attend Equity for Deaf Persons Lack of Service User Involvement

SOLUTIONS Mental Health Awareness Programme Primary Care Consultation Liaison Service Equity for Deaf Persons Lack of Service User Involvement

SOLUTIONS Mental Health Awareness Programme Primary Care Consultation Liaison Service MHS for Deaf Service Users Lack of Service User Involvement

SOLUTIONS Mental Health Awareness Programme Primary Care Consultation Liaison Service MHS for Deaf Service Users Consultative Group

MH AWARENESS PROGRAMME • • 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 LIAISON 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 USERS • 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 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 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

CONCLUSION • 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