Problems accessing help
Persistence is important in getting help. Try each of the suggestions for help, and in many instances you may need to try them several times. If you are still denied help or the help you receive is inadequate you can threaten to make a formal complaint.
All doctors, hospitals and mental health services have a complaints procedure.
If you require help in making a complaint, contact the Rethink National Advice Service or a local mental health advocate. If there is no response to a request for an assessment from a nearest relative, it may be possible to threaten 'judicial review'. This would be taking the provider of the service (the assessment) to court to determine whether they have carried out their duties to assess your relative.
You will probably need to get help from the Rethink National Advice Service to do this.
If you are offered help but you find that the help is insufficient and you are still experiencing a crisis situation due to someone’s mental health problems, it is important that you ask for help again.
Take the time to note down why the help that has been offered is insufficient and what you want to happen. Occasionally you may be given unhelpful advice from a professional who might refuse to help arguing that the problems are behavioural or that no help is available until there is more of a crisis.
It is important to seek help and support despite comments such as these if you are having difficulties. Carer advocates can be a helpful source of advice and support in getting the services you need for someone. The Rethink National Advice Service can put you in touch with a local carers advocate and/or offer you further advice.
If you require help in making a complaint, contact the Rethink National Advice Service or a local mental health advocate. If there is no response to a request for an assessment from a nearest relative, it may be possible to threaten 'judicial review'. This would be taking the provider of the service (the assessment) to court to determine whether they have carried out their duties to assess your relative.
You will probably need to get help from the Rethink National Advice Service to do this.
If you are offered help but you find that the help is insufficient and you are still experiencing a crisis situation due to someone’s mental health problems, it is important that you ask for help again.
Take the time to note down why the help that has been offered is insufficient and what you want to happen. Occasionally you may be given unhelpful advice from a professional who might refuse to help arguing that the problems are behavioural or that no help is available until there is more of a crisis.
It is important to seek help and support despite comments such as these if you are having difficulties. Carer advocates can be a helpful source of advice and support in getting the services you need for someone. The Rethink National Advice Service can put you in touch with a local carers advocate and/or offer you further advice.
