Glossary

AAED stands for All Age Eating Disorder Service.

This is a mental health service that supports children, young people and adults who are experiencing an eating disorder.

ACE

Navigators are mental health workers who support people accessing community mental health services.

They help people understand the support available to them, complete assessments, and connect with the services that best meet their needs.

Navigators may work with people one-to-one or in groups.

Many Navigators work for our partner organisations, including Shaw Trust and Porchlight, helping people access support as quickly as possible.

Care plan 

A depot injection, often called a depot, is a way of taking medication by injection rather than by tablets or capsules.

Depot injections are most commonly used for some antipsychotic medications. The medication is released slowly into the body over time, which means the injection may only need to be given every few weeks.

Depot injections are given by a trained healthcare professional, usually at a community mental health site or depot clinic.

Some people prefer depot injections because they do not need to remember to take medication every day. Others may find they help keep medication levels more consistent.

Depot injections are not suitable for everyone. Your doctor or mental health professional can talk to you about the different options available and help you decide what is right for you.

DIALOG and DIALOG+ are tools used in some community mental health services to help guide conversations about your care and wellbeing.

During a DIALOG assessment, you will be asked to rate different areas of your life, such as your mental health, physical health, relationships, accommodation, work, leisure activities and personal safety.

These scores help you and your healthcare professional identify what is going well and where you may need additional support. By comparing your scores over time, you can see what has improved, what has stayed the same and what may need more attention.

DIALOG+ builds on this by helping you and your healthcare professional focus on the areas that matter most to you, explore possible solutions and agree actions together.

The aim is to make sure your views, goals and priorities help shape decisions about your care and treatment.

Dietician

A dietitian is a healthcare professional who specialises in food, nutrition and healthy eating.

Dietitians can help you understand how food affects your physical and mental health. They can provide advice and support with nutrition, eating habits, weight management and any health conditions that may affect what you eat.

Some dietitians also work with people who have eating disorders or difficulties with eating, helping them to develop a healthier relationship with food and meet their nutritional needs.

DNA

DNA stands for Did Not Attend. 

This term is used when someone does not attend a planned appointment and has not let the service know in advance.

If you are unable to attend an appointment, please contact the service as soon as possible. Letting us know means we can rearrange your appointment and offer the time to someone else who may be waiting for support.

If you miss an appointment, a member of the team may contact you to check on your wellbeing and discuss any support you may need to attend future appointments.

Dual diagnosis is a term used when someone is experiencing both a mental health condition and difficulties with drugs and/or alcohol.

Mental health and substance use can affect each other, so it is important that both are considered when planning support and treatment.

People with a dual diagnosis may work with both mental health services and drug and alcohol services to make sure they receive the right support for their needs.

The Early Intervention Service supports people aged 14 to 65 who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis.

The team works with people as early as possible to help them understand their experiences, manage their symptoms and support their recovery. Support may include psychological therapies, medication, physical health support, help with education or employment, and support for family members and carers.

The service can work with people for up to three years, helping them build the skills and confidence they need to manage their mental health and achieve their personal goals.

EMDR is a type of therapy that helps people process and recover from traumatic experiences.

It is often used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but it can also help with other difficulties linked to trauma.

During EMDR, you will be asked to think about a traumatic memory while following a therapist's finger movements or another form of side-to-side stimulation, such as a light bar, sounds, or tapping. This helps the brain process memories that may feel stuck or overwhelming.

Many people find that, over time, traumatic memories become less distressing and have less impact on their daily lives.

People with EUPD may experience intense emotions, rapid changes in mood, difficulties in relationships, impulsive behaviour, and ongoing feelings of emptiness or loneliness.

Some people may also experience self-harm, suicidal thoughts or difficulties with their sense of identity and self-worth.

Many people diagnosed with EUPD have experienced trauma, difficult relationships or challenging life experiences that have affected their emotional wellbeing and development. Everyone's experiences are different.

You may occasionally see KMMH used as a shortened version of our trust name, Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

We provide mental health and learning disability services across Kent and Medway, including community services, inpatient care and specialist support for people of all ages.

This was the previous name of Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust. The Trust changed its name in October 2025 to make it clearer that it provides specialist mental health services across Kent and Medway.

You may still see the term KMPT on older letters, documents, webpages and resources. It refers to the same organisation.

To find out more about the name change, please visit our dedicated webpage.

You may hear a medication review referred to as a "meds review".

If you are prescribed medication, you may be invited to attend regular medication reviews with a psychiatrist or another healthcare professional.

The purpose of a medication review is to make sure you are receiving the right medication at the right dose and that it is working well for you.

It is also an opportunity to discuss any side effects, concerns or questions you may have about your medication and to explore any changes that may be needed.

MDT

MDT stands for Multidisciplinary Team.

An MDT is a group of professionals from different healthcare and support backgrounds who work together to plan and review people's care.

This might include psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, social workers and other members of the care team.

By bringing together different skills and perspectives, an MDT helps make sure that all aspects of a person's needs are considered when decisions are made about their care and treatment.

MBT stands for Mentalisation-Based Therapy.

MBT is a type of talking therapy that helps people better understand their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours, as well as those of other people.

The therapy helps people make sense of their reactions, emotions and relationships. This can make it easier to manage difficult feelings, improve communication and reduce misunderstandings.

MBT is often used to support people who experience intense emotions, difficulties in relationships, or who have been diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) or Complex Emotional Difficulties (CED).

MHA

MHA stands for Mental Health Act.

The Mental Health Act is the law that sets out when people can be assessed, treated and cared for for a mental health condition, including when treatment may be provided without their consent.

In some situations, a person may be admitted to hospital and kept there for assessment or treatment under the Mental Health Act. This is often referred to as being "detained" or "sectioned".

This can only happen when specific legal criteria are met and there are concerns about a person's safety or the safety of others.

If someone is detained under the Mental Health Act, they have legal rights. These include the right to be told why they are being detained, the right to appeal against their detention, and the right to support from an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA).

The rights and protections available depend on the section of the Mental Health Act being used.

Mental Health Together is the way community mental health services are delivered across Kent and Medway. It was co-designed by people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, carers, partner organisations and mental health professionals.

Mental Health Together brings NHS services, primary care, social care and community organisations together to provide more joined-up support. The aim is to help people access the right care at the right time, without having to navigate multiple services on their own.

To find out more about Mental Health Together, visit the Mental Health Together page on our website.

Mood stabilisers are a type of medication commonly used to help people with bipolar disorder. They can help reduce extreme changes in mood, including periods of mania and depression.

Mood stabilisers can help keep moods more stable over time and lower the risk of future mood episodes.

Like all medications, mood stabilisers can cause side effects. If you experience any side effects or have concerns about your medication, you should discuss them with your doctor, psychiatrist or prescribing clinician.

Different medications work differently for different people. You may find that one mood stabiliser suits you better than another, and your prescriber can work with you to find the treatment that best meets your needs.

PALS

PALS stands for Patient Advice and Liaison Service.

PALS can help if you have concerns about the care or support you have received from an NHS service. They can listen to your feedback, help resolve problems and explain the options available if you would like to make a complaint.

The team can also provide information, advice and support to patients, carers and family members, and they welcome compliments about positive experiences of care.

To find out more about the Trust's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), visit the compliments and complaints page on our website.

You may hear healthcare professionals talk about a pathway when discussing your care.

A pathway is simply the team, service or type of support that has been identified as being the best fit for your needs at that time.

For example, you might hear someone refer to a psychosis pathway, an eating disorder pathway or a complex emotional difficulties pathway. Each pathway is designed to support people with particular needs or experiences.

Sometimes a different pathway may be better suited to your needs. If this happens, the professionals involved in your care will discuss the available options with you and explain any changes to your support.

A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who helps people improve their physical health, movement and wellbeing.

You may see a physiotherapist as part of your mental health care because physical and mental health are closely connected. Mental health difficulties can sometimes affect a person's physical health, energy levels, mobility, fitness or confidence.

A physiotherapist may help you to:

• Increase your physical activity and fitness
• Improve your strength, balance or mobility
• Develop healthy routines and habits
• Manage physical health problems that affect your wellbeing
• Address physical side effects of medication
• Build confidence in taking part in everyday activities

They work with you to identify goals that are important to you and support your overall health and recovery.

Porchlight is one of the organisations that works in partnership with Mental Health Together (MHT) to support people across Kent and Medway.

Porchlight provides practical and emotional support for people experiencing mental health difficulties, as well as challenges related to housing, employment, finances, social isolation and wellbeing. They work alongside NHS and community services to help people access the support they need and live well in their local community.

You may meet Porchlight staff as part of your care, or be referred to one of their services for additional support.

To find out more about Porchlight and the support they provide, visit the Porchlight website.

You may hear people talk about primary care when discussing support from your GP surgery or other local healthcare services.

Primary care is usually the first place people go when they need healthcare advice, treatment or support. It includes services such as GP practices, community pharmacies, dentists and opticians.

For mental health support, primary care services can often help with assessment, advice, medication reviews, referrals and access to psychological therapies.

Some GP surgeries also work closely with mental health professionals to provide support within the local community.

If you need more specialist support, your GP or another primary care professional may refer you to secondary mental health services, such as Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

You may also hear the term PCMHT, which stands for Primary Care Mental Health Team. These teams work alongside GP practices to provide mental health support within primary care settings.

PREM

PREM stands for Patient Reported Experience Measure.

A PREM is used to understand your experience of a service. It gives you the opportunity to tell us what worked well, what could be improved and how you felt about the care and support you received.

PREMs help services improve the experience of patients, carers and families.

PROM

PROM stands for Patient Reported Outcome Measure.

A PROM is a questionnaire that asks about your health, wellbeing or symptoms before, during or after receiving support from a service.

PROMs help measure whether a treatment, intervention or service has made a difference to your health and wellbeing from your perspective.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health.

Psychiatrists assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They are also able to prescribe medication and review how well it is working.

A psychiatrist may help with:

• Diagnosing mental health conditions
• Prescribing and reviewing medication
• Discussing treatment options
• Assessing risks and safety
• Providing reports and medical advice

Not everyone receiving support from mental health services will need to see a psychiatrist.

A psychologist is a mental health professional who specialises in understanding how people think, feel and behave.

Psychologists are trained to assess psychological difficulties and provide evidence-based talking therapies. They may also be involved in service development, research and staff support.

A psychologist may help with:

• Understanding emotional or behavioural difficulties
• Psychological assessments
• Talking therapies
• Developing coping strategies
• Understanding the impact of trauma and life experiences

Many psychologists complete doctoral-level training before practising in the UK.

A psychotherapist is a mental health professional who specialises in providing talking therapies.

Psychotherapists are trained to help people explore their thoughts, feelings, relationships and life experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

A psychotherapist may help with:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and difficult life experiences
• Relationship difficulties
• Managing emotions
• Building self-understanding and self-confidence

Psychotherapists train for many years and receive regular supervision to support their practice.

The Recovery and Wellbeing College offers free courses, workshops and learning opportunities for adults across Kent and Medway.

The courses are designed to help people improve their wellbeing, build confidence, develop new skills and learn practical ways to support their mental health.

Topics include mental health, physical wellbeing, self-care, recovery, building resilience and supporting others. Courses are available to people with lived experience of mental health difficulties, carers, family members and professionals.

The Recovery and Wellbeing College encourages people to develop their strengths, share their experiences and gain the knowledge and skills to support their own wellbeing.

To find out more about the courses and support available, visit the Recovery and Wellbeing College website.

Rio is the electronic patient record system used by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

Although you may sometimes see it written in capital letters, Rio is not an acronym and does not stand for anything. It is simply the name of the system.

You may hear the people supporting you say they are "putting something on Rio" or "updating Rio". This means they are recording information about your care to keep your records accurate and up to date.

Information recorded on Rio may include:

• Appointments and contacts with services
• Assessments and care plans
• Medication and physical health information
• Important changes in your circumstances
• Discussions about your care and treatment

Keeping records up to date helps the professionals involved in your care understand your needs and provide safe, consistent support.

Your records are confidential and can only be accessed by authorised staff who need the information to support your care or carry out their role within the service.

A risk assessment or formulation is a document that is created with you to help everyone understand your needs, strengths and any support you may need to stay safe and well.

It may include:

• Things that help keep you well
• Signs that you may be struggling or need extra support
• Steps that can be taken to reduce risks and support your wellbeing
• What to do if you experience a crisis or relapse
• The people and services that can support you

If you would like them to be involved, it can also include family members, friends or other important people in your support network.

A formulation looks at your experiences, circumstances and strengths to help understand what may be affecting your mental health and what support is most likely to help.

A Safe Haven is a welcoming, non-clinical service that provides mental health and emotional support for adults aged 18 and over.

You do not need to be receiving support from mental health services to use a Safe Haven. You can attend without an appointment and speak to someone in a safe, supportive environment if you are struggling with your mental health or wellbeing.

Safe Havens can provide:

• Emotional support and a listening ear
• Help during periods of distress or crisis
• Information about local services and support
• Practical advice and signposting
• Support to help you stay well in your community

Safe Havens are available across Kent and Medway, including in:

• Ashford
• Canterbury
• Dartford
• Folkestone
• Gillingham
• Maidstone
• Medway
• Ramsgate
• Thanet
• Tunbridge Wells

The service is provided by Mental Health Matters.

To find out more about locations, opening times and the support available, visit the Kent and Medway Safe Havens webpage.

A safety plan is a document that is created with you to help keep you safe and support your wellbeing.

It sets out what helps you stay well, the signs that you may need extra support, and what steps can be taken if you are struggling or experiencing a crisis.

A safety plan may include:

• Things that help you cope when you are finding things difficult
• Early warning signs that your mental health may be getting worse
• People you can contact for support
• Services and crisis contacts that can help
• What you would like others to do if you become unwell

If you would like them to be involved, your safety plan can also include family members, friends or other important people in your support network.

You should be given a copy of your safety plan in a format that works best for you so that you can refer to it whenever you need it.

You may hear people talk about secondary care when discussing specialist mental health support.

In Kent and Medway, secondary mental health services are provided by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

You are usually referred to secondary care by a GP or another healthcare professional when you need more specialist mental health support than can be provided through primary care services.

Secondary care services may provide:

• Support from a psychiatrist
• Specialist mental health assessments
• Access to specialist medications
• Psychological therapies
• Support from a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists and other professionals
• Access to specialist mental health services, such as eating disorder, psychosis or crisis services

People receiving support from secondary care services often have needs that require input from several professionals working together.

Shaw Trust is one of the organisations that works in partnership with Mental Health Together (MHT) to support people across Kent and Medway.

Shaw Trust provides practical support to help people improve their wellbeing, build confidence and achieve their personal goals. This can include support with employment, education, skills, social connections and other areas that contribute to good mental health and wellbeing.

You may meet Shaw Trust staff as part of your care, or be referred to one of their services for additional support in your local community.

To find out more about Shaw Trust and the support they provide, visit the Shaw Trust website.

A Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) is a healthcare professional who supports people with communication and swallowing difficulties.

In mental health services, a Speech and Language Therapist can help people understand information, express themselves more clearly and communicate with others more confidently.

A Speech and Language Therapist may help with:

• Understanding and processing information
• Expressing thoughts, feelings and needs
• Social communication and conversations
• Finding alternative ways to communicate when needed
• Assessing and supporting swallowing difficulties (sometimes called dysphagia)
• Managing communication or swallowing difficulties that may be linked to a health condition or medication

Social care is support that helps people live as independently, safely and comfortably as possible in their day-to-day lives.

While healthcare focuses on treating illness, social care focuses on the practical, social and personal support that helps people stay well and take part in everyday life.

Depending on your needs, social care support may include:

• Help with housing or living arrangements
• Support with benefits and finances
• Advocacy and helping your voice be heard
• Help at home from a care worker
• Support to access education, employment or community activities
• Home adaptations or equipment to make daily life easier
• Shared Lives schemes and other community-based support

Everyone's needs are different. Some people may need a lot of support, while others may need only a small amount or none at all.

The aim of social care is to help people live as independently as possible and maintain the quality of life that matters most to them.

STR

STR stands for Support Time and Recovery Worker.

A Support Time and Recovery (STR) Worker helps people build confidence, develop practical skills and work towards their recovery goals.

They can provide one-to-one support and help people with everyday challenges that may affect their mental health and wellbeing.

An STR Worker may help you to:

• Build daily routines and structure
• Access community groups, activities and services
• Develop confidence and independence
• Work towards personal recovery goals
• Improve your physical health and wellbeing
• Attend appointments and access support
• Monitor physical health checks linked to medication

STR Workers work alongside other members of your care team to provide practical support and help you stay connected to your local community.

SUN stands for Service User Network.

The Service User Network (SUN) is a peer support service for adults aged 18 and over living in Kent and Medway who experience difficulties with their emotions, relationships, or who may have a diagnosis of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) or Complex Emotional Difficulties (CED).

SUN groups provide a safe and supportive space where people can meet others with similar experiences, share coping strategies and learn from one another.

You do not need a diagnosis to join a SUN group, and you can refer yourself directly.

Benefits of SUN groups may include:

• Peer support from people with similar experiences
• Developing coping strategies and emotional resilience
• Building confidence and social connections
• Reducing feelings of isolation
• Accessing support in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment

To find out more about the Service User Network and how to self-refer, visit the SUN page.

Talking therapies are treatments that involve talking with a trained mental health professional about your thoughts, feelings, experiences and behaviours.

Talking therapies can be provided one-to-one, in a group, online or over the telephone. Different types of talking therapy are available, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and other approaches.

Talking therapies can help people better understand their experiences, develop coping strategies, manage symptoms and work towards their recovery goals.

Sometimes when people mention Talking Therapies, they may be referring to NHS Talking Therapies, a service that provides support for common mental health difficulties such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Panic
• Phobias
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Difficulties linked to long-term physical health conditions

In Kent and Medway, NHS Talking Therapies are provided by Vita Health Group and We Are With You. You can refer yourself directly, or you may be referred by a healthcare professional.

To find out more about NHS Talking Therapies, including how to self-refer, visit the Kent and Medway talking therapies website.