# data[].attributes.body
Whether you’re living with a mental health problem or supporting someone who is, accessing information about a condition is vital. SAMH has developed a series of information resources for you

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From national services, like our confidential Infoline and online wellbeing support Time for You, to our 70 services based in communities across Scotland, we work every day to support better mental health and wellbeing. We listen to what matters locally and we campaign nationally - for the changes, big and small, that can make all the difference in life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Mental Health Acts

Following the compulsory building of county asylums in England and Wales, Parliament introduced further laws to regulate activities in 1845 and 1853. The Lunacy Act 1890 was passed in response to public concern that patients were being wrongfully detained, increasing controls on requirement for patient certification. It was only under the Mental Treatment Act of 1930 that voluntary admission was included. The Mental Health Act 1959 encouraged informal admissions, which meant that patients were entitled to similar rights that anyone being admitted for treatment into a general hospital would have. However, the 1959 Act later came under criticism by MIND (the National Association of Mental Health) who highlighted the legal inadequacies of legal rights for patients. The 1959 Act was eventually amended, resulting in the Mental Health Act 1983.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Following the compulsory building of county asylums in England and Wales, Parliament introduced further laws to regulate activities in 1845 and 1853. The Lunacy Act 1890 was passed in response to public concern that patients were being wrongfully detained, increasing controls on requirement for patient certification.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Borderline Personality Disorder... What is it?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental disorder marked by a pattern of ongoing instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning. These experiences often result in impulsive actions and unstable relationships. A person with BPD may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from only a few hours to days.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TED Talk Bipolar Schitzophrenia Living with Bipolar Disorder Jane Pauley Bipolar Disorder TED Talks Bipolar Disorder Type 1 TED Talks Bipolar Depression Famous People with Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Manic Episode Ted Turner Bipolar Borderline Personality Disorder TED Talks Depression Bipolar and Relationships TED Talks Mormon

# data[].attributes.body
Ted Silverman gives a powerful description of the difference in the way people treat physical and mental health differently.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
mental illness ted talk max silverman - Bing video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
TED Talks Bipolar Disorder TED Talks Mental Health Stigma TED Talks Schizophrenia TED Talks Mental Illness African Americans Mental Illness Police Inside House Famous People with Mental Illness TED Talks Dissociative Disorders I AM an Adult TED Talk Anorexia Older Adults Mental Illness Difficulties Working with a Mental Illness

# data[].attributes.body
A very powerful explanation of how someone with depression may feel.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
I had a black dog, his name was depression

# data[].attributes.headline
Think Positive is NUS Scotland’s student mental health project. The project aims to find ways to support students experiencing mental ill health, tackle stigma and discrimination, and promote well-being in colleges and universities

# data[].attributes.subject
Think Positive is NUS Scotland’s student mental health project. The project aims to find ways to support students experiencing mental ill health, tackle stigma and discrimination, and promote well-being in colleges and universities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Working together to improve and promote student mental health support across Scotland.

Think Positive aims to help create a more joined up student mental health support sector and to improve student wellbeing.

For students

We don't provide mental health support directly but can signpost you to places that can help

For Student Associations, Colleges and Universities

Resources, support and information to help you develop and promote your mental health support offer for students

For supporting organisations

Promote the work that you do that is available to students and those who support them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Home - Think Positive - Student Mental Health - Scotland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Think Positive aims to help create a more joined up student mental health support sector and to improve student wellbeing. We don't provide mental health support directly but can signpost you to places that can help Resources, support and information to help you develop and promote your mental health support offer for students Promote the work that you do that is available to students and those who support them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
We’re Mind, the mental health charity | Mind

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We're Mind, the mental health charity. We're here to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A clinical-grade digital therapeutic mindfulness course for better mental health | Be Mindful

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A clinical-grade digital therapeutic mindfulness course for better mental health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about talking therapies and mental health. Find out what talking therapies are, what the types of talking therapies are, how to access therapy and how to choose your therapist.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
No one knows exactly what causes bipolar disorder. Lots of recent research has focused on looking for causes in genetics or the biology of the brain, but many researchers also believe social factors may play a part, such as difficult life events or experiencing trauma as a child.

On this page you can find information on:

Can drugs cause bipolar disorder?

Medication, drugs or alcohol can't cause you to develop bipolar disorder, but they can cause you to experience some bipolar moods and symptoms . For example:

Some antidepressants can cause mania or hypomania as a side effect. If you begin to experience mania after taking antidepressants for depression, this might lead your doctor to give you an incorrect diagnosis of bipolar disorder, or prescribe you more medication. But in this case it's usually worth waiting to see if your symptoms pass without treatment first.

Alcohol or street drugs can cause you to experience symptoms similar to both mania and depression. It can often be difficult to distinguish the effects of alcohol and drugs from your mental health symptoms.

If you're concerned about the effects of medication, alcohol or street drugs on your mental health, it's important to discuss it with your doctor.

(See our pages on antidepressants and the mental health effects of alcohol and street drugs for more information.)

Childhood trauma

Some experts believe you may develop bipolar disorder if you experienced severe emotional distress as a child, such as:

sexual or physical abuse

neglect

traumatic events

losing someone very close to you, such as a parent or carer

This could be because experiencing trauma and distress as a child can have a big effect on your ability to regulate your emotions.

Stressful life events

You may be able to link the start of your symptoms to a very stressful period in your life, such as:

a relationship breakdown

money worries and poverty

experiencing a traumatic loss

Although lower levels of stress are unlikely to cause bipolar disorder, they can trigger an episode of mania or depression. (See our pages on managing stress for more information on the links between stress and mental health).

Self-esteem problems

Some researchers believe that a manic episode may be a way to escape from feeling very depressed or having very low self-esteem. It may be that when you feel very bad about yourself, mania increases your self-confidence to help you cope.

Brain chemistry

Evidence shows that bipolar symptoms can be treated with certain psychiatric medications , which are known to act on the neurotransmitters (messenger chemicals) in your brain. This suggests that bipolar disorder may be related to problems with the function of these neurotransmitters - and this is supported by some research. However, no one knows for certain what exactly these problems are, or what causes them.

Genetic inheritance

If you experience bipolar disorder, you are more likely to have a family member who also experiences bipolar moods and symptoms (though they might not have a diagnosis). This suggests that bipolar disorder might be passed on through families.

However, this does not necessarily mean that there is a 'bipolar gene' - family links are likely to be much more complex. For example, researchers think that environmental factors can also be triggers for experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder. And for most people, family members are an influential part of your environment as you grow up.

This information was published in October 2015. We will revise it in 2018.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Causes | Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
No one knows exactly what causes bipolar disorder. Lots of recent research has focused on looking for causes in genetics or the biology of the brain, but many researchers also believe social factors may play a part, such as difficult life events or experiencing trauma as a child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition.
Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode. However, it's not known why some people develop symptoms while others do not.

Increased risk

Genetics

Schizophrenia tends to run in families, but no single gene is thought to be responsible.

It's more likely that different combinations of genes make people more vulnerable to the condition. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean you'll develop schizophrenia.

Evidence that the disorder is partly inherited comes from studies of twins. Identical twins share the same genes.

In identical twins, if a twin develops schizophrenia, the other twin has a 1 in 2 chance of developing it, too. This is true even if they're raised separately.

In non-identical twins, who have different genetic make-ups, when a twin develops schizophrenia, the other only has a 1 in 8 chance of developing the condition.

While this is higher than in the general population, where the chance is about 1 in 100, it suggests genes are not the only factor influencing the development of schizophrenia.

Brain development

Studies of people with schizophrenia have shown there are subtle differences in the structure of their brains.

These changes are not seen in everyone with schizophrenia and can occur in people who do not have a mental illness. But they suggest schizophrenia may partly be a disorder of the brain.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages between brain cells.

There's a connection between neurotransmitters and schizophrenia because drugs that alter the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain are known to relieve some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Research suggests schizophrenia may be caused by a change in the level of 2 neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin.

Some studies indicate an imbalance between the 2 may be the basis of the problem. Others have found a change in the body's sensitivity to the neurotransmitters is part of the cause of schizophrenia.

Pregnancy and birth complications

Research has shown people who develop schizophrenia are more likely to have experienced complications before and during their birth, such as:

a low birthweight

premature labour

a lack of oxygen (asphyxia) during birth

It may be that these things have a subtle effect on brain development.

Triggers

Triggers are things that can cause schizophrenia to develop in people who are at risk.

These include:

Stress

The main psychological triggers of schizophrenia are stressful life events, such as:

bereavement

losing your job or home

divorce

the end of a relationship

physical, sexual or emotional abuse

These kinds of experiences, although stressful, do not cause schizophrenia. However, they can trigger its development in someone already vulnerable to it.

Drug abuse

Drugs do not directly cause schizophrenia, but studies have shown drug misuse increases the risk of developing schizophrenia or a similar illness.

Certain drugs, particularly cannabis, cocaine, LSD or amphetamines, may trigger symptoms of schizophrenia in people who are susceptible.

Using amphetamines or cocaine can lead to psychosis, and can cause a relapse in people recovering from an earlier episode.

Research has shown that teenagers and young adults who use cannabis regularly are more likely to develop schizophrenia in later adulthood.

Want to know more?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Bipolar disorder is a mental health problem that mainly affects your mood. If you have bipolar disorder, you are likely to have times where you experience:

manic or hypomanic episodes (feeling high)

depressive episodes (feeling low)

potentially some psychotic symptoms during manic or depressed episodes

You might hear these different experiences referred to as mood states, and you can read more about them in our page on bipolar moods and symptoms .

Everyone has variations in their mood, but in bipolar disorder these changes can be very distressing and have a big impact on your life. You may feel that your high and low moods are extreme, and that swings in your mood are overwhelming.

Depending on the way you experience these mood states, and how severely they affect you, your doctor may diagnose you with a particular type of bipolar disorder .

It's an emotional amplifier: when my mood is high I feel far quicker, funnier, smarter and livelier than anyone; when my mood is low I take on the suffering of the whole world.

Bipolar disorder or manic depression?

The term 'bipolar' refers to the way your mood can change between two very different states - mania and depression. In the past, bipolar disorder was referred to as manic depression, so you might still hear people use this term. Some health care professionals may also use the term bipolar affective disorder (affective means the disorder relates to mood or emotions).

What's it like to have bipolar disorder?

You can watch Laura, Steve and Joe talk about their experiences of living with bipolar disorder in this video:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Bipolar disorder is a mental health problem that mainly affects your mood. If you have bipolar disorder, you are likely to have times where you experience: manic or hypomanic episodes (feeling high) depressive episodes (feeling low) potentially some psychotic symptoms during manic or depressed episodes You might hear these different experiences referred to as mood states, and you can read more about them in our page on bipolar moods and symptoms .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Recovery Model of Mental Illness: A Complementary Approach to Psychiatric Care

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The current approaches to mental health and illness with their exclusive focus on symptoms, the partial response to treatment of many people with severe mental illness and their inability to get back to their pervious level of function and realize their full potential mandates complementary approaches to the care and management of people with mental health difficulties.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If you have a mental health problem, sometimes you might need health or social care support. It's important to know that you have rights about the health and social care support you receive.

What's the difference between 'healthcare' and 'social care'?

There's no legal definition of healthcare or social care. However, some NHS guidance says:

​A healthcare need is related to the treatment, control or prevention of a disease, illness, injury or disability, and the care or aftercare of a person with these needs.

A social care need is focused on providing assistance with:

the activities of daily living

maintaining independence

social interaction

enabling the individual to play a fuller part in society

protecting them in vulnerable situations

helping them to manage complex relationships

and (in some circumstances) accessing a care home or other supported accommodation.

It can sometimes be difficult to say whether a service you receive is health or a social care. But it matters because healthcare is generally provided free under the NHS, whereas social care is provided by local authorities, who can charge for it.​

Healthcare overview

Healthcare means the services provided to you to maintain and improve your health. Most types of healthcare provided by the NHS are free at the point of delivery to UK residents.

You have certain rights regarding the healthcare treatment you receive . This includes not being discriminated against, getting information about your treatment and being able to see your medical records. You also generally have the right to give consent before receiving treatment, and to refuse treatment (except in certain situations).

Some people may be eligible for a package of care called continuining healthcare (CHC) . This is for people who are not in hospital and have been assessed as having a 'primary health need' (this means that your main need must relate to your health). Continuing healthcare can be provided in your own home or in a care home.

Social care overview

Social care services can help you if you need practical help and support because of your illness, disability or age. Social care services are provided by your local authority, though you may have to pay for it.

The first stage in getting any social care is for the local authority to assess your needs, called a 'needs assessment'. This is so the local authority can gain a full picture of your care and support needs, so that they can make informed decisions about whether you're eligible for support.

You will only get social care support if your needs meet the eligibility criteria . When deciding this, your local authority will look at what kind of health problem causes your needs for care and support, whether your needs affect your ability to do things, and how they affect your day-to-day living.

If the local authority has decided that you have eligible needs, then it will plan your care and support with you. You should be involved in the planning process, and the plan should meet your needs and achieve the outcomes that you want.

The local authority can meet your needs for care and support in different ways - for example, providing you with accommodation, care and support at home, counselling or advocacy. If you want to sort out your own care and support, you can ask your local authority to make direct payments to cover the cost.

If the local authority provides you with support, it must assess your financial circumstances and decide whether you need to pay for some of the cost. The assessment will look at your income and your capital, and whether you're in a care home or not.

Safeguarding means protecting your right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Local authorities have a legal duty towards people who are experiencing or are at risk of abuse and neglect. If the local authority thinks you're at risk, and you're in its area, then it must make enquiries to decide what action should be taken.

An can help you understand your rights, express your views and wishes, and help make sure your voice is heard. If you have difficulty being involved in decisions about your care and support, then your local authority must provide you with an advocate, unless there is someone else suitable to support you.

If you're a carer, you may also have carer's rights to social care support. The law is similar to that relating to other adults' social care rights, in that you'll have an assessment, the local authority will decide whether your needs meet the eligibility criteria, and a support plan of your eligible needs will be prepared.

Please note

This guide covers health and social care from the point of view of a person with a mental health problem.

This guide applies to England and Wales.

The legal information in this guide does not apply to children unless specifically stated.

This guide contains general legal information, not legal advice. We recommend you get advice from a specialist legal adviser or solicitor who will help you with your individual situation and needs. See Useful contacts for more information.

This information was published in February 2018. We will revise it in 2020.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you have a mental health problem, sometimes you might need health or social care support. It's important to know that you have rights about the health and social care support you receive. What's the difference between 'healthcare' and 'social care'? There's no legal definition of healthcare or social care.

# data[].attributes.headline
People with Mental Illness die 15 - 20 years younger?

# data[].attributes.subject
People with Mental Illness die 15 - 20 years younger?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Physical health checks for people with severe mental illness

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People with a severe mental illness die 15 to 20 years earlier than the general population, mainly from natural causes such as cardiovascular disease, endocrine disorder and respiratory failure. In the vast majority of cases, these early deaths could be avoided through timely diagnosis and treatment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Mental Health Foundation Error 404 page.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Medical Model - Treating Mental Disorders | Simply Psychology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The medical model of abnormal psychology treats psychological disorders in the same way as a broken arm, i.e. there is thought to be a physical cause.

# data[].attributes.body
See Me Scotland. Ending Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
See Me is Scotland's national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination. We are encouraging people to take action to make a difference. You can be part of that change by joining a movement of thousands of people across Scotland. Visit the See Us pages and get all the tools and resources you need to take action.

Sign up to be part of the See Us movement and you'll receive our action activity pack, get updates on what is happening and how you can get involved, and receive our monthly See Change mail out, which focuses on where stigma exists and what you can do to tackle it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
See Me is Scotland's Programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
See Me is Scotland's national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination. We are encouraging people to take action to make a difference. You can be part of that change by joining a movement of thousands of people across Scotland. Visit the See Us pages and get all the tools and resources you need to take action.

# data[].attributes.headline
Everyone has a different way of expressing their story. Write to recovery is another way... 

# data[].attributes.subject
Everyone has a different way of expressing their story. Write to recovery is another way... 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Write to Recovery - Everyone has a Story

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Write to Recovery is designed to help people improve their mental wellbeing by sharing their stories and experiences.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
People can and do recover from serious and long-term mental health problems. SRN is designed to raise awareness and promote the issue of recovery.

# data[].attributes.body
We all have mental health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental health continuum | Together to live

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
One of the most important ways to prevent mental illness and promote mental health and recovery is to intervene during the time when a youth moves into adulthood (between the ages of 16 and 25).

# data[].attributes.headline
Breathing Space was launched in 2002 to address serious concerns about the mental wellbeing of people in Scotland. The service became a national phoneline in 2004.Breathing Space complements the work of other phonelines and agencies which are endeavouring to reduce 🤬 rates in Scotland.Our advisors come from a range of mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds. There is an equal ratio of male to female advisors, who may be part-time or full-time. Breathing Space is not a volunteer service

# data[].attributes.subject
Breathing Space was launched in 2002 to address serious concerns about the mental wellbeing of people in Scotland. The service became a national phoneline in 2004.Breathing Space complements the work of other phonelines and agencies which are endeavouring to reduce 🤬 rates in Scotland.Our advisors come from a range of mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds. There is an equal ratio of male to female advisors, who may be part-time or full-time. Breathing Space is not a volunteer service

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Breathing Space. Open up when you are feeling down - call 0800 83 85 87

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Canadian Machine Slot Resource – Kanucks Do It Better

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You can find everything on the Internet, but no site that presents Baccarat in detail. I would like to change this and offer all Baccarat lovers a place to go if they have questions or want to know more about Baccarat. Online Baccarat should not be missing, because it has some advantages to play Baccarat online.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Fluoxetine (Prozac): an antidepressant - NHS.UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NHS medicines information on fluoxetine (Prozac) - what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it.

# data[].attributes.headline
Watch Rod's story. What do you notice about the date he was diagnosed. Would he be admitted to  a psychiatric hospital now? He makes a good point about diagnosis. If you are going through a manic phase  - why would you go to a GP when you feel brilliant? . 

# data[].attributes.subject
Watch Rod's story. What do you notice about the date he was diagnosed. Would he be admitted to  a psychiatric hospital now? He makes a good point about diagnosis. If you are going through a manic phase  - why would you go to a GP when you feel brilliant? . 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Rod talks about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the treatments offered to him and how he copes with the condition.

# data[].attributes.headline
Citalopram an SSRI usually prescribed for Depression  

# data[].attributes.subject
Citalopram an SSRI usually prescribed for Depression  

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
NHS medicines information on citalopram - what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it.

# data[].attributes.headline
Clinical Depression - symptoms, treatments, therapies. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Clinical Depression - symptoms, treatments, therapies. 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read about the symptoms of depression in adults, which can be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms can also be classed as psychological, physical and social.

# data[].attributes.body
This documentary is an important one to watch. It looks at the history of mental health, treatments and the emergence of the community care model.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BBC Mental A History of the Madhouse FULL DOCUMENTARY

# data[].attributes.body
Schizophrenia - symptoms, treatments, therapies. A one stop shop!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read about symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations, delusions, confused thoughts and changes in behaviour.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a useful link to a YouTube resource on Borderline Personality Disorder

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
11 Things EVERYONE Should Know About Borderline Personality Disorder