Mental health problems are often thought of as something that only affects younger people. However, as people age, adults can also face challenges with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
The NHS has a team in Wigan that provides support and help for older people with mental health problems. They can also support the carers of older adults as well with mental health problems.
In this blog post, we will take a look at mental health in older adults, who the service is for, and how to access it.
Mental health problems are common in most older people, with one in six adults aged 60 and over experiencing a mental health problem such as depression and anxiety in any given week.
One in 4 older adults experiences issues with their mental health. The most common issues are depression, dementia, and anxiety. Depression and dementia are the most common, affecting 5% to 7% of the population over 60. Anxiety follows as a close second, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that it affects 3.8% of older adults.
The NHS service is for older adults, aged 65 years and over, in Wigan who are experiencing mental health problems and their carers. Problems like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The service provides support and advice to help them manage their condition and improve their wellbeing.
The team consists of experienced mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and nurses. They offer a range of services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. They can also provide information and support to carers.
The Service is confidential and all information will be treated in the strictest confidence. It is important to note that the Service is not a crisis service and is not able to provide emergency assistance.
If you are over 65 contact your GP to talk about your symptoms and feelings. They will then refer you if they think the service will help you.
Once you have contacted the team, they will arrange an assessment with you. This will usually take place over the phone but may be face-to-face if it is felt that this would be more appropriate. The assessment is an opportunity for you to discuss your concerns and learn more about the services available to you.
If it is thought that you would benefit from using the service, you will be offered a care plan. The plan will detail the support provided and how often you can expect to receive it. Your care plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure that it meets your unique mental health needs.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency department. Or please contact our Mental Health Crisis Line on Freephone 0800 051 3253.
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If you are finding it challenging to perform your daily routines or feeling lonely, having one of our Care Professionals visit you when you need them can take all the stress away.
Use our contact form or call us on 01942 363414 to discuss receiving help at home.
The NHS 111 online service is a quick and easy way to contact the NHS in your area. You can use it anytime. Day, night, weekend, or bank holiday. You can also call 111 and speak to a nurse, or mental health nurse, over the phone. A GP can also help you access helpful treatments, and also help you access mental health services.
A mental health emergency is when an individual is in danger of hurting themselves or others, is not in control of their thoughts or actions, and is not aware of their surroundings.
A nervous breakdown is a period of extreme stress in your mind or emotions.