Mental health ‘choice’ website launched

A new website has been launched to provide online support to patients with mental health problems, in line with the new national framework ‘Our Choices in Mental Health’, which offers more treatment choices to those who require it.

The website, www.mhchoice.org.uk, is designed to support patients with mental health conditions understand the new framework, which makes more choice available locally to people who use mental health services in England.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health (DH) told E-Health Insider: “Patients should know that they now have the powers to choose their own path through services and keep control over their lives. They have the preferences to choose how, when, where or what treatments they receive.

“The website has been designed to offer as much practical support as possible to those patients who need it and summarise the changes launched today in the Our Choices in Mental Health document. It provides advice and information for them so they can take control of their own illness, in conjunction with their carers and GPs.”

The ‘Our Choices in Mental Health’ document was launched at the same time as the website by health minister Rosie Winterton.

She said: “We want patients to be able to choose how, when and where to access help. We want them to be able to choose the treatment that best suits their needs and to access the support they need to keep or regain their independence. The guidance we are publishing today and our wider programme of work to provide greater choice will help to change that situation and really empower service users.”

The move was welcomed by mental health charity Mind, who said that patients should have the power to choose the way they receive treatment.

“We welcome the document and the website and hope to see mental health patients using the new found power they have received to ensure they get the maximum patient care that they should expect from those who help them.

“Mental health problems can affect anyone, rich or poor, young or old, shattering the lives of those affected and the lives of the people close to them – we hope that patients and their nearest and dearest take control of their futures and use the website to ensure they make the most of this choice option.”

Included on the website is a checklist designed to help local communities in extending choices for mentally ill patients and there are also copies of the DH survey taken last autumn looking at how mental health choices should be improved.

Laurie Bryant, an expert on service improvement and a service user working in National Institute for Mental Health in England, said: “Choice listens to me, involves me, responds to me, values me and supports me on my road to recovery. If we are serious about putting users at the heart of modern mental health services, providing choice is essential.”