CNWL has produced a comprehensive booklet on mental health terms which you can download in PDF format by clicking the link below. If you would like to receive a printed copy please email feedback.cnwl@nhs.net giving your full name and address.
Glossary of Mental Health Terms
Listed below are descriptions of some of the key terms that you may find helpful:
Admiral Nurse
Admiral Nurses are skilled and experienced nurses who specialise in dementia. They understand the difficulties facing people who look after a relative or friend with memory problems, and provide a free service for family carers. Speak to the care co-ordinator to find out about Admiral Nurses in your area.
Advocate
An advocate is someone who helps people express their point of view in difficult situations where they might feel vulnerable or overwhelmed. There is specialist advocacy support for mental health service users. For further information look in the Local Advocacy Groups
Some advocates specialise in supporting carers, by helping to express their concerns to the professionals involved in the care of the person they support. If you think you would benefit from the support of an advocate, the care co-ordinator or the local Carer’s Centre should be able to tell you what is available locally.
Approved Social Workers (ASW)
Have specialist training, and are involved in assessing a person for possible admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act, and have overall responsibility for co-ordinating the process of assessment.
Care Co-ordinator
Everyone with mental health needs who is being supported under the care programme approach (CPA) should have one named professional who is their care co-ordinator. That professional is drawn from the team responsible for their care. They also arrange review meetings where everyone concerned meets to review the care plan and make any necessary changes; these can and should involve the carer if the person being cared for agrees and the carer wishes.
Care Programme Approach –CPA
CPA aims to make sure that service users get the help and support they need whilst a mental health service user. This is one by finding out what your care needs are and planning the best way to meet them. This could include housing, benefits, finding and returning to work or finding a day centre for you to visit. Click here to visit our dedicated CPA page.
Carer
A carer is someone who gives you regular support, but who is not paid or employed by the statutory services. They can be a neighbour, friend, family or partner. Carers are often involved in planning your care, and the care co-ordinator will therefore need to know if you have a carer, and if you want them to be involved. We also need to look at the needs of carers, so we can find the best way to help them care for you.
Carer’s Assessment
An assessment carried out by the care co-ordinator or other member of the mental health team, assessing whether the carer is able to continue to provide care and support, and assess the social, physical and mental health needs of the carer. A carer can decline to have an assessment.
Carer Support Workers
Increasing numbers of specialist carer support workers, are being employed by carers’ centres, charities, or statutory services. Carer support workers provide support to family members/carers providing support to a person with a mental health illness. Carer Support Workers and Carer Centres are a good source of support, and are able to help in many different ways, such as:
- One-to-one support (short-term)
- Information, advice and sometimes advocacy type support
- Support groups, events and the chance to get involved in training
- Support at CPA meetings and accessing carer networks
Depot
An injection, of medication, that is released slowly into the body over a period of weeks.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
A state benefit, that may be available to people who have a disability, or severe mental health problem.
General Practitioner (GP)
A GP (family doctor) is often the first professional someone contacts for help. GPs can refer patients to specialist mental health services, and are sometimes involved in the day-to-day care of the person. If you care for someone with mental health problems it is important that you make your GP aware of your caring role, and the effects this extra stress may have on your own health. Your GP may be able to refer you to services or provide helpful information.
Prognosis
This is the expected course of an illness or condition that can be generally applied to indicate whether recovery is likely to be quick or slow.
Social Worker
A social worker has specialist knowledge of mental health problems; they provide emotional and practical support to people with mental health needs, and may act as care co-ordinators where assessed needs are developed into a care plan (Care Programme Approach - CPA), taking into account the physical, social and mental health needs of that person.
Statutory Services
This term refers to service providers –social services and the NHS who are required to provide certain types of care.
Support Workers/Care Workers
Carer workers are paid to provide care and support to those in need, and are usually employed by statutory services, private organisations and in some instances community/voluntary organisations.