The consultant closely supervises and monitors their work and progress. The consultant often has one or more trainee doctors under their supervision.The legal situation in Scotland and Northern Ireland is similar but with important differences. Involuntary detention in hospital only occurs if two doctors and an approved social worker all agree that this is an appropriate thing to happen. An England and Wales consultant is approved under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act, enabling them to recommend the involuntary detention of a patient who is severely ill in hospital in the interests of their health, their safety or the safety of others.Some consultants have responsibility for a certain number of patients in a hospital ward.In some cases, the consultant has overall responsibility for the management of patients under the care of the team. Referrals are then allocated to various members in the team, depending on the nature of the individual's problems. The consultant or the team will have patients referred to them by GPs and other professionals such as health visitors and social workers.Other consultants work in various specialist teams. Team members may include trainee psychiatrists, social workers, community psychiatric nurses, psychologists and others. A consultant psychiatrist often works in a community mental health team which is involved in looking after people living in a certain area.A placement in psychiatry is not mandatory during these training years, but is usually considered important because mental health problems are so common. A further hree years in various hospital specialities, and a year in general practice under supervision follows. Basic medical training: five years at medical school (obtaining a medical degree such as MB BS or MB ChB) and two years working as a junior doctor in a hospital, in medicine, surgery and other fields.
Where they feel the patient needs further specialist help, GPs can refer the person to a number of different services such as a counsellor, community psychiatric nurse (CPN), psychologist or a consultant psychiatrist.They may well advise a depressed patient to take an antidepressant. They may also have some training and experience of a more specific psychological treatment. A GP will almost certainly provide advice and support for the depressed person.GPs are often the first point of contact for people with depression and treat most patients themselves.The professionals who can be involved in the care of somebody with depression are described below. They may see their GP for initial help or go to an independent counsellor or psychotherapist.
A person who is depressed can seek professional help from many sources.