16.08.12
Guidance published for self-managing mental health
New self-management guidance has been published today to help people in Wales with long-term mental health problems to achieve a better quality of life.
There are an estimated 500,000 people across Wales who have been diagnosed with a mental health problem, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.
In collaboration with Hafal and Bipolar UK, the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is launching the new booklet ‘Take Control’ – the product of self-management courses across Wales.
The guidance aims to help patients feel in control of their symptoms, deliver increased confidence, improve relationships with health professionals and help them to lead healthier lives.
The guide is based on the key eight life areas found in Wales’ Care and Treatment Plans: accommodation; education and training; finance and money; medical and other forms of treatment; parenting or caring relationships; personal care and physical wellbeing; social, cultural or spiritual; and work and occupation.
David Crepaz-Keay, head of empowerment and social inclusion at the MHF, said: “Self-management is so important in empowering individuals to regain initiative, take control of their lives and put themselves back in the driving seat.
“An individual’s mental health is a result of so many contributing factors and a holistic approach is vital in order to optimise and sustain recovery. For too long, the needs of those with long term mental health diagnosis have been inadequately supported.”
The guidance is at: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/content/assets/PDF/publications/Take_Control_English_-_for_web.pdf?view=Standard
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