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Introduction to mental health

Mental health problems can affect people at any time of life and in different ways. They can include anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, self-harm and dementia.

When a mental health condition becomes a 'disability'

If someone has a mental health problem that has long-term effects on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activity, this is considered a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

'Long term' is defined as an impairment that has lasted, or is likely to last, at least 12 months.

Your local doctor (GP)

If you are worried about your mental health, or that of a close friend or relative, you should contact your doctor. They can offer advice or refer you to specialist services.

All local doctors have access to teams of professionals and support staff offering a range of skills and different ways to help. The team normally includes:

  • community psychiatric nurses
  • psychiatric social workers
  • consultant psychiatrists
  • clinical psychologists
  • occupational therapists

Where necessary, they will work closely together to provide support and services.

If you feel uncomfortable with your doctor you should be able to:

  • ask to see another doctor in the practice
  • ask to see the nurse at the practice
  • register with a new surgery

Support from other people

Friends and relations

Often, friends and relations will notice changes in you and be concerned, so talking to them may be a relief to them and helpful to you. You can ask someone to go with you to a doctor's appointment if you are concerned about visiting a doctor alone.

Specialist services

Your doctor may refer you to a specialist like a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, community psychiatric nurse or a counsellor. These professionals will work with you to help you find ways of dealing with the problems you are experiencing.

If you are under 18 years old

Try talking to your parent(s) or someone who has parental responsibility for you. You could also talk to a teacher, youth worker or doctor, or call ChildLine. Calls to ChildLine are free, and you do not have to tell them your name if you don't want to.

Students

Your college or university may have a counsellor you could talk to. The counsellor may:

  • offer you regular counselling sessions to talk about your thoughts and feelings
  • refer you to a doctor for medication or specialist services
  • advise you on other education services that may be able to help, like talking to an accommodation officer if your living arrangements are contributing to your illness

For more information, contact student services at your college or university.

Nightline is a confidential telephone support service for students, run by students. You can find out about Nightline services in your area on the National Nightline website. 

Other ways to get support and advice

Other people who may be able to help are health visitors, charities and self-help groups. The mental health contacts page lists a number of organisations that offer advice and information on various mental health issues.

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