Maisie’s Story – Mental Health Struggles

Case Study

Maisie’s Story

Maisie was a care worker in an elderly residents’ home. She had been there for five years and been a stalwart member of the team through the covid era. She had offered to live in at the home which was really appreciated at the peak of the pandemic. Many months later after the pandemic was a distant memory, Maisie did not seem her usual self. Her manager noticed she was ‘lack luster’ and seemed quiet and enquired about her in a brief conversation when they were alone. The lady responded that she ‘was feeling a bit lonely; her son had finally moved out and she felt down, and she thought she would adjust soon’. The manager gently enquired if there was anything work could do to support her, but it was clear that Maisie did not want to disclose her personal details to her. The manager offered this lady a confidential check-in with Atrium Clinic. Maisie consented to receive a call from the Atrium team and agreed to a single session with one of our clinicians. Our team got in touch to screen Maisie’s mental health and set up her single session appointment. She was seen by a clinician on Zoom the next day (but many of our clients like telephone) and the full extent of her difficulties became apparent.

Maisie was suffering with severe depression, worried about being alone in retirement and regretful for past decisions and was suffering with suicide ideation, exacerbated by sleep deprivation. At the end of the session with the clinician, the Atrium team linked with her GP by consent to arrange for her to be seen the next day where she was assessed, put on medication but with the coordination of joint discussion between Maisie, the GP, and Atrium, Maisie was able to stay at work for the period of treatment because to be at home alone would have added to her distress. Atrium discussed reasonable adjustments to her work by consent, which were slightly reduced hours. We agreed to check in on Maisie by agreement with the GP for the next few weeks adding to the review scheduled with the GP. The manager at the care home was very supportive of Maisie’s recovery and they planned a social event /pub quiz for the staff which Maisie could look forward to when she was better. The GP also linked Maisie to the social prescriber to get more involved in social activity in her community. The care home decided to support Maisie with five additional sessions of therapy through Atrium after her medication began to take effect, as the wait for standard NHS talking therapies was six months. Although medication had taken the edge of Maisie’s distress, she recognized she needed to identify and manage her distress earlier in future.

The cost of the single session check-in and linking with the GP and the manager was £80.00 plus vat (Prices may vary). The five additional sessions cost the same. Maisie did not miss work and felt able to have a confidential space to share her concerns. Work kept a good employee who was keen to stay with them and no working days were lost. Maisie is re-invested in her work life and grateful for their support. Sometimes a single check-in session with a professional clinician and development plan is enough to support care staff. This is what Maisie’s manager said about her service from Atrium ‘Totally professional and seamless. Glad to have Maisie back to being her old self and I feel we jumped on this early.