Most people who have any prolonged contact with psychiatric services are likely at some stage to be prescribed pills to either reduce or control their symptoms. The best person to advise you about medication is the doctor who is prescribing it for you. Alternatively you can discuss problems or worries about medication with your care coordinator or another member of the mental health team. Mental health nurses, particularly, should be well up to speed about medication and be able to advise accordingly.
Alternatively consult a pharmacist. The County Hospital, Hereford has a Medicines Information Dept that you can contact between 8.30 and 5.30 on 01432 364017

If none of these peope are available to you and you would like to to talk to someone about medication you are taking or being offered, NHS Direct should be able to offer advice and support. Tel 0845 4647 or click the link.

Remember, If you become seriously concerned about unwanted effects of medicine you have been prescribed, stop taking it and get professional advice. But bear in mind that while there is well documented evidence that long term use of some medications (anti-psychotics) can cause irreversible side effects, the risk of serious sudden harm from any psychiatric medication taken at the prescribed dose is extremely low.

There are many websites offering comprehensive information about psychiatric medications, their effects and side effects. Remember drug companies are full of very cautious people, so some sites list absolutely all possible side effects of a particular drug however remote the likelihood of its occurrence. Some of these can sound distincly alarming (eg sudden death!), but don't assume because it is listed that you will necessarily get it. If you are worried talk to your doctor, pharmacist or care coordinator.

The Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust and Medline both have lots of reliable information about drugs used to treat mental illness.
The National Electronic Library for Mental Health offers user friendly information about drug treatments for schizophrenia and depression. It will soon be expanding to include all mental health treatments.
The National Schizophrenia Fellowship has information on medication for schizophrenia.
The Depression Alliance has information on antidepressants.
Internet Mental Health has information on the 72 most commonly prescribed medications.
MSN Health
Social Audit is a watchdog keeping an eye on the pharmaceutical industry, taking a particular interest in antidepressants. Do they work ? Are they addictive etc ?