In mental health there are many terms you may not be familiar with. Listening to some mental health professionals can sound as though they are speaking a different language. Here is a short list of common terms to get you started in understanding some of this jargon:
Consumer: a person who uses a mental health service or has done so in the past.
Carer: a person whose life is affected by virture of a family or close relationship and caring role with a consumer.
Mental Illness: a clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with a persons ability to think, feel and/or socialise
Mental Health Service: is made up of a range of specialised services that can assess, treat, and support a consumer. These services may include inpatient units, community teams, rehabilitation programmes and long-term care facilities. Mental health services, as referred to in this website are provided by Queensland Health.
Psychiatrist: a medical practitioner who has undertaken specialised training and registration that qualitfies them to diagnose and treat mental illnesses.
Psychologist: clinical psychologists have specialist training in the assessmetn of behaviour and mental functioning, and in a range of interventions aimed at changing how people think, feel and act towards themseleves and others.
Recovery: is the journey toward a new and valued sense of identity, role and purpose outside the parameters of mental illness; and living well despite any limitations resulting from the illness, its treatment, and personal and environmental conditions. Sharing Responsibility for Recovery is a document developed by Queensland Health outlining their vision for recovery orientated mental health services.
A more comprehensive list of mental heath terms can be found by following this link http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth/termnlgy.htm
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© The State of Queensland (Queensland Health) 2008.