Step 2

Make sure that you take part in the Care Programme Approach (CPA). If you go to your doctor with the symptoms of a severe mental illness, then your doctor should automatically refer you for a CPA assessment. If it is decided that you need specialist help when you are assessed (as should certainly be the case if you have a severe mental illness), then you are put on CPA.

What is CPA?

CPA is for everyone receiving care from secondary mental health services – for example from a psychiatrist, psychologist, community psychiatric nurse or social worker. It provides an organised way of assessing all of your care needs, and developing a single care plan to meet all of those needs. It means that you’ll be given a Care Coordinator who will be the point of contact for you and your care providers. Together you will complete a Care Plan that sets out all of your needs – and how they will be met.

To open Hafal’s guide to "CPA: A User’s Guide", please click on this address: http://www.hafal.org/hafal/pdf/CPA/CPA_English.pdf