Psychological Support

Being in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can be a highly stressful and overwhelming experience, not only for patients but also for their families.

We have found that psychological support in ICU can help to manage the emotional and mental challenges that arise during this critical time.

Not everyone who comes to ICU will require support with their psychological health but by understanding and addressing the psychological needs of both patients and their families we aim to provide a supportive environment which promotes a feeling of safety, resilience and healing.

This section is designed to provide essential information about the possible psychological impact of a critical care admission. It covers hallucinations, delirium, mood changes, managing anxiety and PTSD.

The psychological support that we are able to offer includes:

RaCI service – our team of specialised nurses and doctors are available to support both patients and their relatives following your discharge from ICU and beyond. We are available to help you understand the impact a critical illness may have and work towards your recovery that is meaningful to you.

Highly specialised clinical psychology team – our psychologists work closely with the RaCI service and the ICU Multi-disciplinary team to triage and assess those patients and relatives who require individualised psychological support following a critical illness. They have a wealth of experience and access to other services which may aid your recovery.

Peer support group – our support group will help you to connect with others who share a similar experience to you. Sharing your story and hearing from others can provide comfort and a sense of community.

Educational resources – access to information about how the psychological impact of critical illness can have on recovery helping you to understand what to expect and how to manage it.

Please do contact the RaCI service if you require support with your mental wellbeing.