Detection, assessment and review of Mental Health issues

The "Detection, Assessment, and Review of Mental Health Issues" course is structured into seven detailed units, each focusing on key aspects of mental health diagnosis, management, and patient care. Here's an overview of what is included in each unit:

Unit 1: Detection, Assessment, and Review of Mental Health Issues
This unit provides an introduction to mental health detection and evaluation in primary care. It discusses epidemiology, aetiology, and the challenges GPs face in assessing patients with mental health concerns. It covers the importance of reassessment, managing relapse, and handling complex cases with empathy.

Unit 2: Key Components of a General Practice Mental Health Treatment Plan (GPMHTP)
In this unit, participants will learn about the key elements of creating a mental health treatment plan. The unit emphasises the importance of shared understanding between the GP and patient, outlining the steps involved in consent, diagnosis, risk assessment, and ongoing review. It also explores the challenges of communication with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Unit 3: Practice Systems to Identify Local Services and Resources
This unit focuses on developing effective practice systems for identifying local mental health services and resources. It emphasises the importance of clinical governance, staff training, and risk assessment to ensure patients are referred to appropriate services. The unit also covers tools and frameworks to help GPs provide holistic care​.

Unit 4: Role Play - Depression Consultation
This unit features a detailed role play of a GP consultation with a patient experiencing depression. It provides insights into how to conduct a mental health assessment using empathy and open-ended questions, and how to identify symptoms of depression, such as hopelessness and loss of interest in activities. The unit offers a practical approach to handling complex emotional situations during consultations.

Unit 5: Role Play - Anxiety Consultation
In this unit, participants observe a role play of a consultation with a patient suffering from anxiety. It covers how to assess symptoms, explore underlying causes like trauma, and manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The role play also demonstrates how to guide patients through anxiety management strategies and offer therapeutic options such as counselling and CBT​.

Unit 6: Consumer Interview - Mental Health
This unit provides an interview with a patient who shares their experience with mental health diagnosis and treatment. The interview highlights the patient's journey from initial symptoms to managing depression with medication and lifestyle changes. It provides valuable insights for GPs into the patient perspective, including the importance of continuity of care and building trust​.

Unit 7: Carer Interview - Mental Health
The final unit features an interview with a carer who supports a family member with mental health issues. It explores the challenges faced by carers, such as the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, and the importance of GP support. The unit emphasises the need for clear communication between healthcare providers and carers to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients​.

This comprehensive course is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of mental health issues, improve patient outcomes, and effectively support patients and their carers in clinical practice.