Mental health

Mental health is part of home care, even when the visit is booked for a wound or an injection. Isolation, treatment stopped without explanation, a home that is deteriorating, an exhausted relative: these are clinical signs, and we pass them to the GP with the person's agreement.

We are not the first line. In Isère, referral goes through the sector mental health centre (CMP) for the person's address, via the GP or directly depending on the service. The national suicide-prevention line 3114 answers free of charge, around the clock, and is also there for relatives who are worried about someone. In immediate danger, 15 remains the way in.

Our role is that of a dependable relay: we make no psychiatric diagnosis, change no psychotropic treatment, and replace no specialist follow-up. We observe regularly, we record, we alert, and we support the person through the steps they agree to take — including simply rebooking a missed appointment.

For family carers, exhaustion is a reason for help in its own right. Respite schemes, carer support platforms and dedicated consultations exist in the department; we point to the right contact rather than leaving the family to search alone.