Mental health

Integrated Mental Health Strategy Partners in Gwent have worked together over the past 2 years to develop an integrated strategy for mental health for the areas of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. The strategy was formally launched on 1 February 2013 and has 8 main priorities: Aim 1 Communicate and work alongside service users, carers, staff and communities on the planning, monitoring and provision of mental health services Aim 2 Develop a wide range of services that support community well-being Aim 3 Enable the provision of a wide range of accommodation options Aim 4 Ensure services based in the community offer support, advice and where necessary assessment and treatment within this environment Aim 5 Provide specialist services that are available to people where and when they need them. Aim 6 To facilitate an appropriate response from across organisations to the needs of people with dementia. Aim 7: To ensure the best use of mental health resources. Aim 8: To work across the 6 organisations to establish a set of rules and a structure that supports our working together, to plan and deliver excellent mental health services (governance). Integrated Mental Health Strategy (PDF 293mb)

Mental health problems can affect people at any time of life and in different ways. They may experience practical, social and emotional problems as a result of mental illness or severe emotional stress.

When you first think about approaching mental health services it can seem quite daunting. Who do you go to first? What will they do? How much control will you have? Will it work?

If you are feeling out of control emotionally, or worried that you may have a mental health problem then, in the first instance you should contact your G.P.

Your doctor can:

• Talk about your problems
• Check whether your problems have a physical cause
• Give you medicine for depression, anxiety and other conditions
• Ask you to see a counsellor
• Send you to hospital
• Refer you to an appropriate service

Services provides by Social Services

Referrals to social services are usually made by your G.P. through to consultant psychiatrists. If you have a social worker, the social worker will make a referral on your behalf.

Our Community Mental Health Teams provide advice, treatment, care and ongoing support to help people with mental health problems to live at home. Staff work for a number of agencies, including nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, consultant psychiatrists, psychologists, and support workers.

Further specialist multidisciplinary services are also available:

• First Access Service offers mental health assessments and treatment that are timely, responsive and effective for those who present with a mild to moderate mental health problem. The service aims to provide choice in a range of services, short-term interventions and referring on to other agencies and services.

• The Early Intervention Service works intensively with people who are experiencing the first onset of psychosis. The service generally focuses on controlling psychotic symptoms, ensuring other health conditions are being managed which might make the problem worse, and prevents the condition deteriorating. The Early Intervention Social Worker works as part of a multi agency, multi- disciplinary team.

• The Assertive Outreach Service work intensively with people with severe and complex problems who have a tendency to disengage with services and experience frequent relapses and hospital admissions as a result. The approach is characterised by work with clients in their own environment, wherever that may be. Mental health services have traditionally been delivered in office or hospital-based settings where the client comes to the mental health professional at a pre-arranged time. In assertive outreach, the worker goes to see the client in his or her environment - be that home, a cafe, park or in the street – wherever it is most needed and most effective. The Assertive Outreach Social Worker works as part of a multi-agency, multi disciplinary team.

• Gateway Service consists of specialist mental health workers who work closely with GP practices. They provide a range of services from signposting to voluntary organisations to follow up appointments with a psychiatrist.

• Gwent Forensic Service supports people who, as a consequence of their mental health problems, have had contact with the legal system and require a safe and secure environment such as specialist inpatient units and secure hospitals that enables them to receive a wide range of treatments, therapies and care to assist in their recovery. The majority of our service users are subject to the Mental Health Act 1983 and 2007. The prison service, the probation service and the courts make referrals for the service.

• Older People's Mental Health Services provide specialist services, such as dementia care, residential and short break services and day care at residential and day care facilities across the county borough.

Organisations and agencies that offer support

CALL Helpline Wales - Confidential listening and support service for people in Wales
Tel: 0800 132 737
Visit the C.A.L.L. Helpline website

Hafal · Welsh charity for those with severe mental illnesses
Tel: 01792 816600
Email: hafal@hafal.org
Visit the Hafal website

Carers Wales
Tel: 029 2081 1370
Email: info@carerswales.org
Visit the Carers Wales website

Mind · Offers many services including helplines, drop-in centres, supported housing, counselling, befriending, advocacy, employment and training schemes.
Information line: 0845 7660163
Email: contact@mind.org.uk
Visit the Mind website

Rethink · Support and advice for everyone affected by severe mental illness
General enquiries: 0845 456 0455
National advice service: 020 7840 3188
Email: info@rethink.org
Visit the Rethink website

Sane - Offers information, crisis care and emotional support.
Helpline: 0845 767 8000
Email: info@sane.org.uk
Visit the Sane website

No Panic - Help for people with panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders and general anxiety disorders.
Helpline: 0808 808 0545
Email: ceo@nopanic.org.uk
Visit the No Panic website

Cruse Bereavement Care - Offers help to anyone who has been bereaved, free counselling, advice and publications.
Tel: 020 8939 9530
Day-by-day helpline: 0844 477 9400
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Young Persons' Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: info@rd4u.org.uk
Visit the Cruse Bereavement Care website

Depression Alliance - UK's leading depression charity, with a network of self-help groups.
Tel: 0845 123 2320
Email: information@depressionalliance.org
Visit the Depression Alliance website

Depression UK (D-UK) - A national self-help charity promoting mutual support between individuals affected by depression, through pen/phone friend schemes and newsletters with members' contributions.
Email: info@depressionuk.org
Visit the Depression UK website

National Self-Harm Network - Supports people who self-harm, providing information, contacts and workshops.
Email: nshncg@hotmail.co.uk
Visit the National Self Harm Network website