Here is a brief update of the carer forum I run aimed at those caring for someone with mental health challenges.

The meeting involved a discussion on the challenges faced by carers and service users in accessing healthcare services, with a focus on mental health issues. The group explored the use of storytelling and poetry as tools for raising awareness and improving understanding of the carer’s journey. They also discussed the importance of support networks and the need for proactive communication with healthcare providers to ensure timely appointments and care coordination.

Carer Group Organizer Discussion on Mental Health Challenges

Matthew, the carer group organizer, led a discussion with carers in attendance about their own experieces caring for someone with severe mental illness. Morgan from the Patient Stories Project at South London and Maudsley introduced her work collecting stories from service users and carers.

Patient Stories Project and Personal Experiences

A carer shared his personal experience and situation, which was acknowledged by matthew. Matthew then introduced Morgan, who presented the Patient Stories Project. Morgan explained that the project was initiated to improve the way patient and carer experiences are collected, as traditional surveys were deemed ineffective. The project is partially funded by the Maudsley Charity and aims to provide a human voice to issues faced by patients. Morgan also mentioned that the project is flexible in its approach, allowing patients to share their stories via various methods, including face-to-face, written, or creative methods. A carer member of the group asked about the reporting methods, to which Morgan responded, explaining the various options available. matthew then shared his own experience of using poetry to raise awareness about carers.

Using Poetry for Caregiving Experiences and Collaboration

Matthew shared his thoughts on using caregiving experiences to connect with others through poetry. He highlighted the power of poetry to express emotions, create vivid imagery, and inspire creativity. Matthew also mentioned his own caregiving experience and how it has influenced his writing, with a focus on raising awareness about caring for someone with mental ill health. He expressed interest in meeting with Morgan to discuss further collaboration.

Improving Carer Experiences and Breaking Stigma

The meeting also focused on improving the experiences of carers and service users through sharing stories and experiences to break stigma and enhance understanding of the carer’s journey. The importance of carers’ voices being heard more clearly in survey data and feedback mechanisms was emphasized. Positive experiences from carers were shared, along with areas for improvement. The use of social media, such as Twitter, was discussed as a tool for raising awareness and seeking help.

Addressing Access Challenges for Patients

A carer discussed the challenges faced by a patient who was referred to Lewisham Single Point of Access but was unable to access services due to a referral requirement from her GP in Lambeth. Someone suggested that they should meet with the GP to discuss available services and potential referrals. Carers agreed that this situation was a good case study for understanding the difficulties in accessing services. A carer also mentioned that the patient’s chronic health condition and the conflict between Lambeth and Lewisham services were complicating the situation. The team decided to leverage the GP’s power to refer the patient to appropriate services and start her on therapy.

Addressing Healthcare Access Challenges and Recruitment

Carers also discussed the challenges faced by individuals in accessing healthcare services. They highlighted the need for a carer’s lead to be appointed.

They also discussed the difficulties in the recruitment process, particularly the time it takes for background checks and DBS checks. matthew proposed reaching out to mental health nurses in GP surgeries for further assistance. The team agreed to continue their efforts to improve the situation and support those in need.