SANE Australia - Recovering from mental illness

Recovering from mental illness

Getting better: recovering from mental illness

Feeling better after an episode of mental illness is more likely if you know where to go and what treatment and support you are entitled to. This Factsheet gives a summary of what sort of services are available to help you do this.

Where can you go and what kind of clinical treatment will help recovery?

General Practitioner
It helps to see a GP (preferably the same one) on a regular basis. This way you can get to know each other, discuss ongoing issues and be referred to appropriate community and specialist services as necessary. With psychiatrist support, a GP can monitor medication and other treatments. GPs may provide psychological treatments such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or refer to a psychologist who can.

Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist can discuss current or ongoing issues of concern, give information about mental illness and its treatment, monitor medication and refer to community services.

Community Mental Health Service
If you are in the public system, ask about getting a case manager. Case managers can coordinate clinical and psychosocial treatments, provide information, education and support to the whole family, as well as referral to community agencies.

Hospitals
People rarely go to hospital unless they are very unwell and when they do it is usually for a short time (about 2-3 weeks). If help is needed urgently, call your psychiatrist or case manager (or a crisis assessment team after work hours) and they can arrange for assessment and hospitalisation if necessary.

Consumer consultants
Many services have consumer consultants who offer support and advice. They may work on a hospital psychiatric ward or be attached to a community mental health service. Your doctor or case manager can put you in touch.

What other kinds of treatment and support are available?

Day Programs
Run by community support agencies, day programs are usually based around a range of recreational activities (such as walking, writing, meditation) or special groups (such as young peoples’ group, women’s group, cultural/language groups). They often run structured programs where you can learn new skills to help you get back on your feet again, while meeting others in a similar situation. Your local community mental health service or council should be able to direct you to your nearest day program.

Mutual Support Groups
Mutual Support Groups provide a place to meet with others in a similar situation or with similar illnesses, to exchange ideas and discuss common issues in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. Your local community mental health service or council should be able to direct you to your nearest group.

Financial Assistance
People seriously affected by mental illnesses are usually entitled to financial assistance (such as a disability pension or sickness allowance). To find out if you are entitled contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

Employment
Specialist employment agencies are available to help people affected by psychiatric and other disabilities return to work.

For assessment and referral to one of these, contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

Accommodation
There are many different types of accommodation available which range in the level of support provided. To {nd out more about accommodation options, contact your local community mental health service or council.

What help is available for family and friends?

Carer Support Agencies
There are a number of organisations set up specifically to help carers, providing support, information and education. Email the SANE Helpline or call on 1800 18 SANE (7263) for details.

Financial Assistance
Carers may be eligible for a Carer pension. To find out more, contact the Disability Support Worker at your local Centrelink.

Respite
Carers Australia, Richmond Fellowship and other community agencies have programs for carers wanting a short or long period of respite. Email the SANE Helpline or call 1800 18 SANE (7263) for details.

How can I expect people to behave towards me?

General community
If you feel that you are being discriminated against by anyone because you have a mental illness, call the Disability Discrimination Line in your State or Territory for advice.

Health Professionals
Professionals have the responsibility to treat people with dignity and respect in all situations. If you feel that you are not getting the respect that you deserve, contact the coordinator of the service or the Health Commissioner in your State or Territory.

Media
Journalists, TV and radio presenters can write or say things that are inaccurate or are offensive to people with mental illness.

You can help fight this by making a report to the SANE Stigmawatch program at www.sane.org as well as by complaining directly yourself – see the SANE Guide to Fighting Stigma for tips about this.

How do I find out more?
It is important to ask your doctor about any concerns you have. SANE Australia also produces a range of easy-to-read publications and multimedia resources on mental illness. For more information about this topic see:

- The SANE Guide to Medication and other Treatments
Explains how all the different aspects of treatment work, by looking at clinical care, medication, support in the community and helping yourself.

- SANE Guide for Consumers
Provides practical suggestions on ways you can look after yourself, explains what words like ‘diagnosis’ and ‘treatment’ actually mean and describes how treatment and medication can help you.

- The SANE Guide for Families
Explains how to better handle common issues associated with being a carer such as developing a positive attitude, looking after yourself and getting the help you are entitled to.

- The SANE Guide to Healthy Living
Explains the benefits of being physically healthy, gives tips on how to started becoming healthier and overcome obstacles as well as giving suggestions on finding support to help stay healthy.

- SANE Guide to Staying Alive
Provides practical step-by-step hints and advice for consumers, carers and health professionals on dealing with suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

To order visit the SANE Bookshop at www.sane.org or call 1800 18 SANE (7263)

SANE Australia . . . Getting Better: recovering from mental illness

© SANE Factsheet 19 side 1 and 2.

This Factsheet may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the content. SANE Australia is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of information or opinions contained in the Factsheet. Version: English, 2005.