So, you’ve been in rehab, and now it’s time to leave.
Congratulations on taking that first step on your journey! But where do you go from here?
For many people that have experienced a stay in rehab, aftercare can seem daunting and overwhelming.
This article is here to arm you with knowledge on the what and how of aftercare in the United Kingdom. Giving you all the information you need to make an informed decision about what is right for your recovery journey.
Let’s take a look at your options.
What Is Aftercare?
Aftercare for mental health in the UK involves a variety of programs aimed at helping people after they’ve left rehab.
These aftercare services provide vital support and guidance, ranging from regular check-ins with clinicians to therapy and day treatment programs. Other aftercare amenities may include peer support meetings, vocational training, assertiveness training, and emotional support networks.
Patients can expect their aftercare experience to come with additional therapeutic activities to help build independent living skills and a general sense of wellbeing.
Do I Need Aftercare Services?
Aftercare mental health services are an essential part of recovery and wellbeing. It provides the resources and support needed to make successful re-entry into the real world after an addiction or mentally traumatic experience.
Not only this but aftercare helps build a foundation for lasting stability, resilience and greater control over symptoms so that relapse might be avoided.
Aftercare services are recommended for anyone. However, it is ultimately it is up to the individual to decide if they are right for them or not. Everyone has different needs, so only you can evaluate your personal situation effectively to determine if aftercare is necessary.
What Are My Aftercare Options?
Depending on your official discharge, aftercare might include regular follow-up appointments with addiction groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), medical professionals, counselling sessions, or even referrals for housing, job training or other services to support mental health.
Other self-care initiatives such as yoga, creativity therapy and meditation can also be helpful in a successful aftercare plan. It’s important to remember that aftercare plans should be constantly monitored and may need adjusting after a period of time.
Working with a healthcare team to make sure the aftercare plan is tailored correctly helps assure long-term stability when transitioning back into daily life.
Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT):
CMHTs provide support services for people living in their area who have mental health issues. They offer case management, counselling, crisis intervention, medication management, psychoeducation, and more.
In addition, CMHTs assess needs and make referrals to other services as necessary. This could include housing support services or social work services.
Depending on where you live in the UK, there may be multiple CMHTs available for you to choose from.
Talking Therapies:
Talking therapies are one-on-one conversations with a trained therapist about your mental health or experiences.
You will have the opportunity to discuss whatever is bothering you. From thoughts and feelings that may have been triggered by your stay in rehab to daily stressors that were present before then.
Talking therapies can help people identify patterns of behaviour or thinking which they may not have noticed before and suggest healthier ways of responding in certain situations.
Peer Support Groups:
Peer support groups provide people with an opportunity to connect with others who share similar experiences in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
These groups are usually run by someone with experience working with mental health issues and allow members to openly discuss their struggles without any judgement or stigma attached.
Not only can these peer support groups be an invaluable source of emotional support; they also serve as a reminder that you are not alone on your journey after leaving hospital.
If your mental health disorder manifested into addictive behaviours, there are a number of organisations in the UK that can help.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) have meetings nationwide that provide ongoing support for recovering alcoholics. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) supports those who have had persistent addiction to drugs whether that is cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, or opioids.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) support those individuals who have become addicted to gambling and gaming and also have daily meetings available nationwide.
Orchestrate Health:
At Orchestrate Health, our teams are committed to the long-term recovery of our clients.
We work closely with healthcare providers and psychiatric teams to ensure that the recovery made within the hospital or rehabilitation environment continues when the individual is home, where fundamental changes often need to be made to make sure they stay well; whether that is your ability to continue to address trauma, establish healthy routines or re-establish family dynamics.
We run diagnostic assessments to create a team of highly skilled healthcare professionals to work with the client which could range from simple online counselling through to providing live-in nurses, regular visits from therapists, nutritionists, exercise coaches, companions, and general practitioners.
When an individual is struggling with their mental health, it’s important that we take a whole person approach to their healthcare, which means we look at every area that may be causing the dysfunction, treating the mind, physical and spiritual wellness.
In Summary:
Mental health aftercare in the UK is quite comprehensive, with a range of options to choose from.
Talking therapy and peer support groups are great for speaking openly about mental health difficulties and disordered behaviour, sharing experiences with those who can understand.
If further mental health care is needed, then community mental health teams exist in many towns and cities across the country, offering mental health expertise to ensure long-term progress.
Furthermore, Section 117 of the mental health act offers free aftercare to those who qualify, making sure everyone has access to the mental health care they need. While this often comes with a waiting list, provision is there.
Thanks to these resources, from public and private sectors, mental health support is close at hand no matter where you live in the UK.
Receive Help Today:
Orchestrate supports patients with complex mental health needs, enabling them to be cared for online and/or at home by providing live-in mental health specialists, home assessments and daily visits from professionals within the mental health field.
We are committed to ensuring patients receive the highest standards of care available.
Contact us today to speak to a member of our friendly team.
Resources
https://www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/support-groups/
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/legal-rights/courts-and-mental-health/section-48-49/
