Service users unaware of care plans

Almost half of service users with a severe mental health
problem do not know whether they have a care plan, according to
research from charity Rethink.

A survey of more than 3,000 service users found that more than
one in four was shunned when they sought help while more than a
third did not have any written information about their mental
health problem, local services or treatment options.

A fifth did not know how to access out-of-hours help and more
than one in three said their main priority would be medicines with
fewer side effects. Overall just one in a hundred were happy with
their current quality of life.

Rethink believes that service users should be able to speak to a
mental health or social care professional on request, and get
immediate help in a crisis. In addition they should be involved in
the drawing up of a care plan and receive a written copy.

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