Social choices
Non-medication choices
Besides taking medication, there are lots of additional therapies to help you achieve balance, manage symptoms, overcome distress and move towards recovery.
Social choices
Social choices are those that involve people in everyday situations - at home, at college, at work or in any other social context.
Friends and family
It is very important for service users to maintain social relationships and partake in social networks. Choosing to engage in outings, events and activities with trusted people is a positive action with many beneficial effects.
Also friends and family can be a support to service users during meetings with healthcare professionals, see Power Questions for useful tools on talking to HCPs.
Sexual and intimate relationships
Dr Bennett from the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health states: “Sex and intimate relationships are a significant part of life and well-being. For the majority of people, the expression of their sexuality, the desire to love and be loved within intimate relationships are a natural and important component of their self-concept, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life”1.
This view shouldn't change once someone is diagnosed with a mental illness, as many people will still feel the need to seek intimacy, love and physical comfort. Additionally the therapeutic value of hugging or intimate relationships is often not acknowledged.
Although some medication side effects may interfere with sexual function and/or desire, other medications may not have this side effect. This is an important issue that should be discussed in partnership between service user and healthcare professional. Service users planning or wishing to start a family should discuss this with their HCP as soon as possible.
Professional Befrienders
For service users without immediate access to family or friends, professional befrienders can be a very helpful option. These are people with experience and understanding of mental illness, who can provide an important link to the outside world. A befriender can be a good supportive friend away from the environment of mental health trusts and professional carers.
Your local Mental Health Service may refer you to befriending services in your area.
Useful websites
www.mandbf.org.uk The national body for mentoring and befriending
www.befrienders.org Befrienders worldwide to listen and provide emotional support
Education
Learning and acquiring new skills is a valuable way to develop interests and partake in social activity, and can possibly lead to employment. Opportunities are everywhere - at local colleges and evening centres, through Government agencies and on-line. Information about the choice of courses available can be obtained directly from colleges or via local libraries and information centres.
Useful websites
www.learndirect.co.uk Offers a range of courses both online and at their centres based around the UK
www.open.ac.uk University dedicated to distance learning
Work and meaningful occupation
Employment has many advantages apart from producing financial rewards. Choosing to work can provide a strong sense of purpose and achievement, enhance self-esteem and provide a good basis for social interaction. Many service users maintain jobs while undergoing treatment and therapy, and gain confidence and a sense of self-worth from doing so. Information about job opportunities can be obtained at job centres, from newspapers and magazines or on-line. Sometimes service users are unable to work, in this situation it can be helpful to find meaningful occupation such as voluntary work.
Housing
Living in a safe, welcoming and peaceful environment is extremely important for service users, especially where coping with stress is a daily issue. Choice of location and type of housing can make a real difference, as can the availability of local facilities and amenities. Help in finding appropriate housing is available from local council housing officers, and advice can be obtained at your local Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Useful websites
www.citizensadvice.org.uk A service that helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from a range of locations in the UK.
www.adviceguide.org.uk Online service providing advice on money, family, daily life and legal matters.
References
1. Bennett J. Professional Attitudes & Practice - Help or Hindrance. Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, unpublished presentation, 2006.
