What is Mental Illness? :: Mental Capacity Act 2005 :: Who can get a Mental Illness? :: Different types of Mental Health Problems
What to do next? :: Other places for help and advice
Mental illness can sound scary if you have not had any experience of it before or if you have heard stories which are untrue. People find it difficult to talk about these things, and you may have some questions that you want to ask but don’t know who to speak to.
We can all have an illness that affects our bodies and in just the same way we all have minds that can become unwell.
Anyone can have a mental illness at any time in their lives including people in your own family or friends. There may be times when you wonder why they:
- Treat you in a different way to usual
- Cannot help you with the things they usually do
- Say “weird” things
- May cry but cannot explain why
- Have to go into hospital when you cannot see anything wrong with them.
Mental health problems can be treated and do not usually last forever. There are different types of this kind of illness and different names have been given to them.
- Depression
There are different kinds of depression including a type called post-natal depression that a woman may get after she has had a baby. People who have depression may not seem as if they have much energy, cannot be bothered with things, can seem sad and perhaps do not sleep very well. Sometimes just talking things through with someone can help or the doctor will prescribe medications to help. Someone with severe depression might need a stay in a psychiatric hospital as well as medication.
- Psychosis
People who experience this may not be able to tell the difference between something which is real and something which is not.
- Schizophrenia
Someone who has schizophrenia may lose interest in everyday things, may not eat and can have what are called delusions and hallucinations. Delusions could mean they think they are someone they are not. It can also mean thinking they have done something they have not, perhaps something serious like hurting someone. Hallucinations mean the person can see something that no-one else can or that they can hear something talking to them but again no-one else can. It can also mean that the person may talk back and answer these voices.
These are just a few examples of the names given to mental illness. They may not be the names you have heard. Medication can also affect how a person acts. In many cases medication can work quickly to stop more severe problems happening.
Finding someone to talk to is a good first step. This could be your family doctor, relatives or family friends or teacher if you are still at school. There are other people you can get help from listed below.
If you want further information on Mental Illness and how we can help get in touch with your local Access Team. The out of hours Emergency Duty Team can help in emergency situations.
Download A Guide to Mental Illness for Children
Download Northgate Locks Resource Centre leaflet
The Northgate Locks Resource Centre is a community site in Chester offering a range of meaningful activities and support programmes to people who are suffering from mental health problems.
Supporting People aims to enable people with housing related support needs to live independently.
Alzheimer’s Society East Cheshire Branch
Springbank Centre, Victoria Road, Macclesfield, SK10 3LS
Tel: 01625 503302 support@alzheimers-ec.demon.co.uk
Charter for Mental Health in Employment
Childline
Tel: 0207 2391000 info@childline.org.uk
Counselling Directory.org.uk
A free, confidential database of UK counsellors, with information on their training and experience, areas of counselling covered, fees and contact details.
Mind
Tel: 0208 5271728
The Samaritans
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
Saneline
Tel: 0845 7678000 (1pm to 11pm every day) info@sane.org.uk
Visyon - provides emotional support for 11 to 25 year olds in and around the Congleton Borough.
Tel: 01260 290 000 enquiries@visyon.org.uk
Young Minds
Young Minds Parents Helpline: 0207 3368445 |