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Hi, I am Jess

My first important thing to say to you is that you are not alone; that the fear you are experiencing or have had, is genuine. We all have experienced or will have period's of extreme un-wellness in our lives. The following is my story and is aimed at helping you understand the uncertain world of mental health and the support that you are likely to receive. It is irrelevant how old I am, what ethnicity, gender, religion, class or sexual beliefs I have; mental illness does not discriminate.

Topics previousnext

The benefits of looking after a pet Hi, my name is Jess The benefits of looking after a pet Drinking enough fluids Plants can help
  • Hi I'm Jess
  • Plants
  • Fluids
  • Pets
What are the Symptoms? Looking after your heart Looking after your diet
  • Symptoms
  • Heart care
  • Diet
Facts about Mental Illness More facts about mental illness The hard part for many people, including me, was telling family, friends, and other loved ones about the diagnosis, given the stigma and ignorance in regards to mental illness Many people have excelled despite living with mental illness Many people have excelled despite living with mental illness famous 5
  • Facts
  • Myths
  • Stigma
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Famous People with mental health problems
Talk to someone Men's mental health Gay and lesbian mental health Womans mental health
  • Talking to others
  • Gay and lesbian mental health
  • Men's mental health
  • Womans mental health
Understanding what help and support is available Seasonal Affective Disorder or Winter Blues jess
  • Understanding the mental health system
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Telephone helplines
Talk to your GP
  • Talk to your GP (doctor)
Understanding medication What are alternative therapies
  • Understanding medication
  • What are alternative therapies
Understanding your care and support team
  • Understanding your care and support team
Crisis resolution and home treatment The Care Programme Approach (CPA) is the process which Mental Health Service providers use to co-ordinate the care for people who have mental health problems
  • Crisis resolution
  • Care Programme Approach
The term Carer is used here to describe someone who provides or intends to provide practical and emotional support to someone with a mental health problem. Link to Carers Rights
  • Carers
Summary of the National Service Framework for Mental Health Modern Standards and Service Models for Mental Health The Mental Health Act 1983 - some important information in summary
  • National Service Framework
  • Mental Health Act Summary
Enter to find out (generally) what a hospital may/should feel like. There is also information on Accident and Emergency procedures and goals Information on what to bring to Hospital Accident and Emergency Procedures, Aims, Benefits and Objectives with regards to Mental Health Religion and Spiritualism
  • Hospital
  • What to take into hospital
  • Mental health in A & E
  • Religion and Spiritualism
Who is who in hospital? Key roles explained in brief.
  • Who is who in hospital
What is early intervention? Early intervention in psychosis teams specialise in working with young people aged between 14 and 35 who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis. Child and Adolescent mental health services Exercise
  • Early intervention
  • Child and Adolescent mental health services
  • Exercise
The voluntary sector in the UK is complex and dynamic, ever changing to meet the needs of society. List of services in the UK
  • The role of the voluntary sector
  • List of services in the UK
There are a number of organisations (mainly voluntary) which provide housing and advice for people with mental health problems. Respite
  • Home and Housing
  • Respite
Looking after your finances. Every adult has the right to manage their own money, having treatment for mental health problems does not change this.
  • Looking after your Finances
In this section I will refer to 'work' or 'employment'. My meaning will be that of the broadest sense, paid or un-paid, voluntary or educational, some of you will want something to occupy your time throughout your illness, even if that means holding down a paid job or going to a day centre.
  • Work, training and occupation

  • About the Jess website
  • How to use the Jess website
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Also in this Section

  • Meet Jess
  • Topics
  • About the Jess website and its sponsors
  • How to Use the Jess Website
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Tel. 0845 456 0455 | Site by Torchbox | Updated 18 July 2006
Rethink, registered in England as National Schizophrenia Fellowship, company number 1227970, charity number 271028. Registered office: 28 Castle Street, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 1SS.