Mental health services are provided in many different ways by a range of agencies. This can make it very difficult to find ‘the right path’ because you probably won’t know what helps until you’ve tried it. This makes it extremely important to have enough accurate information to be able to make an informed choice.
The majority of support is now offered “in the community”. This means that people continue to live at home and don’t go into hospital. They make use of a range of services, some of which might be provided in their own home.
There are several points where you could first go into the mental health system.
The majority of people who want help while experiencing some kind of emotional distress go first to their GP. If you go to your GP, what happens next depends on:
Your GP may prescribe treatment, or offer you ideas and support on self-help, or may refer you to any one of a number of services, including:
In a crisis you may go to A & E services. This kind of service is not specifically for people in mental distress but the staff there should be able to access professionals who are more specialised in helping people experiencing distress. Depending on your need they may contact the Crisis Resolution team. Leeds has two accident and emergency departments, based at Leeds General Infirmary on Great George Street, LS1 3EX and St. James' Hospital on Beckett Street, LS9 7TF www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk has maps, directions and detailed information on both these hospitals as well as other non-emergency hospitals in Leeds.
Dial House provide part time out of hours services for people in acute mental health crisis which are an alternative to statutory services and hospital admission, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings 6pm-2am. They can provide someone to talk to for one to one emotional support or the house can be used for time out. There is no charge for the service but you will need to ring to arrange a visit. They also provide a helpline between 6pm and 10.30pm every evening on 0808 800 1212.
Leeds City Council Social Services has recently been replaced by two new services - Adult Social Care and Children and Young People’s Social Care.
They are also responsible for promoting services for adults with learning disabilities.
Adult Social Care aims to support individuals and families to foster independence and control over their own lives, promote well being and care and protect vulnerable adults. They offer a wide range of services to help people live as independently as possible in their own homes and communities. This can include working in partnership with other organisations. If you contact them at crisis point they will refer you or ask you to refer yourself to the the Leeds Crisis Centre who will be able to offer you support and counselling within 72 hours if appropriate. The Crisis Centre can also provide support to contact other suitable agencies if you require this.
You can access Adult Social Care Services through One Stop Centres based in the Centre and in all areas of the city. Call 0845 125 4113 for details.
Leeds Mental Health Trust became the Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust in the summer of 2007. The change in name reflects its status as a foundation trust and the financial freedom to work in more flexible ways that reflect local needs and priorities. This is a new kind of NHS organisation known as a “Public Benefit Corporation”. It is designed to operate like a mutual organisation such as some building societies or co-operatives. Local people are able to become members and have a say in how services are developed. The Trust has signed up over 8000 members (summer 2007) and has established an elected Board of Governors, drawn largely from members of the public, who will work with the Trust’s Board of Directors. The Board of Governors includes ten places for Leeds-based service users or carers and two places for service users or carers who live outside Leeds.
The promotional work of the Trust is intended to help increase awareness of mental health and learning difficulties in the City and to continue to decrease the associated stigma.
For further information on how to access the Community Learning Disability Team for assessment and treatments for adults or carers and family of adults with learning disabilities contact: Referral Administrator, Learning Disability Service, West Point, Westland Square, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 5SS _295 4567 web: leedsmentalhealth.nhs.uk
For further information on how to access the Trust for information about Mental Health Services please contact the Trust Headquarters at: Twenty One Fifty, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8ZB _0113 305 5000.
Voluntary sector agencies offer a range of services such as self help, crisis services, housing, counselling, advocacy, advice, befriending and help with employment. They are independent organisations run by voluntary management committees which often include people who have themselves used services. If they are unable to meet your needs they should be able to signpost to another organisation which can.
Volition - Leeds is an alliance of voluntary sector organisations that either provide mental health services for or work with people who have mental health needs. Volition has over 60 members from all areas of the voluntary sector providing services to people in Leeds. Members include agencies that directly provide mental health services as well as those who have an interest in mental health. 26 St. Michael’s Road, Leeds, LS6 3AW, tel 274 9585, www.volition.org.uk
In October 2006 the five existing Primary Care Trusts ceased to exist and a single PCT for Leeds was established. The Leeds PCT is directly responsible for commissioning mental health services and for directly providing a range of services. These include Primary Care Mental Health Teams, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Community Drug Treatment Services. The PCT has a Strategic Partnerships and Development Directorate and coordinates the Mental Health Modernisation Team.
North West House, West Park Ring Road, Leeds LS16 6QG, tel 0113 305 7370, www.leedspct.nhs.uk
The Police do have the power to detain people with mental health problems who are believed to be in immediate need of care or control at a place of safety for further assessment under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
If you are in mental distress relating to a crime the Police may refer you to Victim Support Services or you can refer yourself.
www.westyorkshire.police.uk