What can we help with?

Questions about...

  • Mental illness
  • Treatment
  • Being in hospital
  • Recovery

We're here to help people access the best quality mental health care by providing information and expert advice.

Case study
Paul is 23 and was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 months ago. He emailed the National Advice Service in June to ask about a new treatment he had read about.

The adviser told him that there had been good feedback about the treatment and that it was now available in the UK. She agreed to send Paul a factsheet on the medication. She then asked Paul what treatment he was receiving at the moment. Paul told her the medication he was taking and that he was unhappy because he had put on a lot of weight and was still bothered by voices. The adviser suggested that he ask his doctors for a medication review and tell them about the weight gain and voices and how he was feeling. The adviser also suggested that some talking therapy could help with the voices and that Paul should ask if he could be referred to a psychologist for an assessment.

Since contacting the National Information and Advice Service Paul found the confidence to see his psychiatrist who suggested that he tries a different, newer antipsychotic for a while and see how he gets on. Paul also brought up the possibility of talking therapy to help with the voices. Paul is now on the waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy.

Questions about...

  • Your rights
  • Money issues
  • Claiming benefits
  • Trouble with the police
  • disability discrimination

We can provide support on all aspects of living with mental illness.

Case study
Ellen has been home from hospital for three weeks. She spends most of her time in bed and has started to cut herself. Her mother Joan was worried about her daughter and rang the National Advice Service.

The adviser listened carefully to what Joan told her about her daughter's illness. Joan said that she thought her daughter still needed to be in hospital. The adviser suggested that Joan contact her daughter's doctor or the local community mental health team to tell them what was going on. Joan was not sure they would listen so the adviser told her that if all else fails she has the right as Ellen's 'nearest relative' to require that an approved social worker considers the need for detention. The adviser then asked Joan how she was coping. Joan said that she was finding it hard and could do with some support. The adviser told Joan that she is entitled to be assessed herself for help in caring for Ellen. The adviser told Joan that there is a Rethink carer support worker in her area who may be able to support her and find her other people in a similar situation to talk to.

Joan felt relieved to have talked to someone about the situation she was facing and the options available to her. After calling the community mental health team they agreed to review Ellen's care plan. Rethink arranged for the carer support worker to call on Joan and she is now attending a local carer support group and "learning from people with similar experiences." Later on, the adviser also helped Ellen and Joan with their applications for benefits.

Questions about...

  • Housing
  • Getting a job
  • Education
  • Family life
  • Staying well
  • Legal issues

Many people experience social exclusion as a result of mental health problems. We actively help people stand up for their rights including when things go wrong.

Case study
Bahara rang the National Advice Service a week after her 25 year old brother was unexpectedly found dead in his bed, in a hostel for people with mental health problems.

The post mortem had not established the cause of his death, but Bahara knew that her brother had recently visited his GP complaining about palpitations. The advice worker knew of sudden deaths of this type may be sometimes linked to the use of antipsychotic medication which can affect heart function, so he helped Bahara to obtain copies of the medical records and arranged for an expert opinion. He also provided the family with information about the inquest hearing and helped them to prepare for it. He arranged for a barrister to ask questions on their behalf at the inquest, as he knew that they would probably be too upset to do so for themselves. The advice service can call on the help of expert lawyers and clinicians who provide their help free or at a low cost to people who cannot get legal aid.

At the conclusion of the inquest, the coroner wrote to the mental health and primary care trusts to emphasise the importance of looking after the physical health of people with mental illness, and paying special attention to the side effects of medication. The family hope that this will help to prevent similar deaths in the future.