Mental Health referal???

[dawsohs]

Hi ive been on her for a few months now. Today i got a letter thru the post saying that my gp has referred me to the mental health unit at a local hospital and my appointment is on the 3rd feb. I didn't know i was being referred and i don't know why?? What does this mean exactly ??? Does anyone know??  Is it for a mental evaluation?? I am very confused, i don't know what it is for, what it is even? Can anyone answer my questions ?? Please...........................

[lilly6jl44]

your GP shouldn't really have referred you without telling you but its nothing to worry about. I have had LOTS of these!! :-D

Basically, this is what is going to happen...

You are going to go to an appointment which is about 50minutes long. You can take a friend or family member with you if you wish.

There will usually be two people at the appointment a kind of social worker type person and a Pyschologist/Psychiatrist or similar. Or sometimes they have a trainee Dr there to observe.

Expect them to write lots of notes down while talking to you. Try not to let this bother you its completely normal, they're mostly just noting down things you say/ your answers to their questions.


The first aim of this is to find out if you are a danger to yourself or others. I personally self-harm and they have never kept me in or anything.

Then sometimes they leave you alone for a while (this only happened to me when I had an emergency assessment) this is so they can discuss what you've said and discuss what help they can offer. Normally however, they do this at their weekly meeting or something.

They may arrange for you to come back for further appointments which is abit like counselling but they are more involved in discussing with you ways to help you.

The most important thing to remember is this is completely confidential. They cannot tell anyone what you have said without your consent. Except if your or someone elses life/safety is in danger)

[mammo]

You're very welcome.  Your doctor probably wants you to see a specialist to get the mood swings taken care of.
Take care...

[dawsohs]

i will do that tomorrow, thanks for your help yeah i do suffer with depression but i have extreme mood swings with it. I just wondered if anyone knew what it was or if they had been referred? Thankyou mammo, you always helpful and i really appreciate it...

[mammo]

Do you suffer with depression?  If so this would be why, and that's good!  If you haven't been diagnosed with depression maybe your GP feels you may have some and wants to find out from someone more qualified than he is. It may be for therapy.  I don't know your circumstances, I am just guessing.  If I were you, I'd call the Mental Health Unit and ask them what this appt. if for, exactly.