Action 4: Encourage the young person to get appropriate professional help cont.
the support you need later in the process, you can speak to an advocate. Information on advocacy can be found from Mind’s information page or the NHS’s Patents advice and liaison services (PALS) page (105). Worries about not liking the professional Most GPs and therapists care a lot about their patients, but there are times when people either don’t get along with or feel uncomfortable with the professional they are seeing. Research undertaken by Young Minds suggests that young people’s experiences of accessing support through their GP are variable across the country, and even between GPs in the same surgery (107). If you would like to talk to another GP, speak to the reception as early as possible as you may have to wait for another appointment. If you’re not happy with your care, you can make a complaint (106). You can also ask to see a GP of a particular gender, if this would make you feel more comfortable. If you feel like you can’t be open with your therapist or CAMHS worker, or you’re not happy with the service, it’s okay to tell them and the team manager. They may encourage you to try to work through things with your current therapist before moving on to someone else (119). Fears about confidentiality What you say to your doctor or therapist is kept between yourself and them unless you ask them to tell someone. They are only allowed to tell someone else if your safety or the safety of someone else is at risk (106,120). Worries about staying in hospital or being sectioned After talking to a GP, you may be referred to CAMHS for a more thorough assessment, especially if the GP is worried about you.
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