definition of 'service user'?

[Stellata]

And GP.
Sorry, non image settings won't let me edit posts!

[startingagain]

It all depends on who is asking. If it was for the NHS then it is no. If it was for MIND then yes.

[Gone.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissAnonymous

It used to matter to me whether or not my private councellor saw me as a patient or a client. She said that I was both, but at the beginning more of a patient, and at the end, a client. I agreed with her on that.

That's interesting.

Just put that you use services but not NHS ones. You aren't a defined service user in accordance with the form you're filling in because they're asking about the NHS. MIND is a charity so the box for 'service user' will be broader as they incorporate other elements of therapy. You can write a note about it anyway and that'll clarify things. I do that all the time when my answers don't fit into the neat little boxes of questionnaires.

[offlineforever]

Given that this form was never even sent off due to missing the deadline, why does it matter?

[Stellata]

It matters in the case of any potential future things that're similar which come up. :)

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.
That's a useful way to put it, Belle.

You see, for me, thumbelina, I have more awareness of what happens in NHS services than the average 'local resident' due to knowing folks on here, knowing folks at the Mind walking group, general knowledge etc.

I also, I believe, that I do have opinions on crisis provision, as in, what would be most useful for me. There but for the grace of God etc I've never been hospitalised, but who knows if I ever get severely unwell again in the future, wrong place wrong time wrong person reporting it or whatever etc.

And, I also live right next to a hospital, where many of the other residents are hospital or other NHS staff, and I know that I have a little bit of an identity crisis/split thing going on with that!

[startingagain]

I think you might be aware but actually using nhs services is different to listening to people talking about them. I've had a very good experience, so wouldn't feel the need to really talk about it. People who have had a negative experience in general tend to be more vocal, so it colours perceptions. Private and nhs will always be different.

[random.swirls]

Currently I'm a service user I use services and also see a counsellor.

When I get discharged I will still have mental health issues but wot use services as will be under the care of my gp and the private counsellor.

If I filled in the form now I would tick service user but once discharged I would tick local resident as whilst I may have a lot of knowledge of the services and my knowledge of mental ill was would be valuable but actually ticking the local resident box wouldn't nullify my response it would just put a different slant on it.

1 in 4 people suffer mental health issues and only some of them are service users th experience isn't nullified its just different

[The War Doctor]

If it'll make you happy, fine, you're a service user.

[Pops.]

Was it an NHS survey? If yes, then you're not a service user. You can still have opinions as a local resident which is why there is a tick box for it.

[makedamnsure]

You are a service user of you use the services of whoever is asking.

So on an NHS survey since you aren't using NHS mental health teams, you aren't a service user. Until very recently I wasn't recieving any help. But I had good knowledge of NHS services due to my brother and dad receiving CMHT/crisis team/CPN help. So you can not be a service user and still have a good understanding of the system.

Creating surveys and tick box type answers will always fall short of gaining someone's full story. It's just a quick way to access and sort information.
If they were being more thorough they could have included more options e.g
"Do you currently use NHS mental health services"
"Do you use private help"
"Has anyone in your family received NHS help"
Etc etc.

[Stellata]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. :)

I think that maybe trying to overcome black and white thinking can make me a bit over pedantic to compensate. Or something like that. :)
[And, as I've said, I'm hormonal! Never the most rational time!]