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The term mental illness covers a whole range of different problems. At some time in our lives, one in four of us will be affected by mental illness.

There are many types of mental health problems, they can all vary greatly. If you are concerned about yourself or anyone close to you it is important that you go to your doctor.

If you do not feel comfortable discussing this with your GP, there are many different organisations who may be able to help you. It may be Social Services, the NHS or a voluntary organisation (such as MIND, Hafal or SANE).

For more information, you may like to read the Integrated Mental Health Strategy for Gwent.

People with mental health conditions can be supported in numerous ways including medication, counselling, referral to the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), packages of care arranged by Social Services, or local voluntary organisations (such as MIND or Hafal ).

The Community Mental Health Team

Community Mental Health Teams are responsible for the care and treatment of adults living in the community who suffer from severe and long term mental health problems.

The Community Mental Health Teams are made up of: Doctors; Nurses; Psychologists; Occupational Therapists; Art Therapists and Social workers.

There are 4 Community Mental Health Teams in Monmouthshire. This means teams for people aged 18 to 64 and over the age of 65 in both the North and South of Monmouthshire.

Referral into these teams is usually via your GP.

The Mental Capacity Act

Every day we make decisions about a lot of things in our lives. The ability to make decisions is called mental capacity.
People may have difficulties making some decisions either all or some of the time. This could be because they have:

  • a learning disability
  • dementia
  • a mental health problem
  • a brain injury
  • a stroke

The Mental Capacity Act supports any person who lacks the ability to make decisions for themselves. Some people may lack the capacity to decide where they live or what care they need. These people may receive care and support that is in their best interests but places restrictions on them. These people may be deprived of their liberty and need further assessment.

MCA Easy Read Summary

National mental capacity forum chair’s annual report 2019-20

What is The Mental Capacity Act? | Mencap

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (ageuk.org.uk)

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and you – Easy Read (scie.org.uk)

Deprivation of liberty – Mind

Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

wales-easy-guide-lpa.pdf (scie.org.uk)

Guide to Lasting Powers of Attorney and the Court of Protection (mencap.org.uk)

The Mental Health Measure

The Mental Health Measure is Welsh legislation which provides for primary care based mental health support services across the five localities of Gwent. The new services have been developed as direct result of Part 1 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010. The information is available on the Aneurin Bevan Health Board website.

Together for Mental Health: Annual Report

Partners in Gwent have been working together through a Partnership Board for over two years to jointly formulate and implement a common vision for mental health services in the area. Please view the report on the Aneurin Bevan website.

The Counselling Directory

Counselling Directory aims to be the leading service for providing counselling advice and information – connecting those in distress with the largest support network in the UK. Please view The Counselling Directory website. 

Lasting Power of Attorney

It’s important that older people have someone they can trust to make decisions about health and finances if they are no longer able to make these decisions for themselves

A guide has been created by the Older Person’s Commissioner for Wales and is intended to help people across Wales to better understand the importance of having an LPA to manage their finances, health and welfare. Putting these arrangements in place can help to provide peace of mind and allow older people to stay in control of the decisions that matter to them. The guide also provides answers to frequently asked questions about an LPA.