How to get help
If you have concerns about your mental health your G.P. should be the first person you contact. Your G.P. may be able to advise you, treat you or refer you to your local Community Mental Health Team (C.M.H.T.).
These services are available to you if you are 18 – 65 years of age.
There are specialist mental health services for children and adolescents.
There are also specialist mental health services for older people.
What are the Community Mental Health Teams?
A Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) is a specialist team of mental health workers from a variety of backgrounds. The teams include community psychiatric nurses (CPNs), social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists and support workers.
What do the Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) do?
The members of the CMHTs work within the Care Programme Approach to assess and meet the needs of people with a wide range of mental health problems.
The CMHTs try to assist people with mental health problems towards the quickest possible recovery so that they can maintain their interests, employment and accommodation within their own community wherever possible.
There are four Community Mental Health Teams, each one covering a sector in Walsall:
- North Community Mental Health Team This team covers Bloxwich, Leamore, Mossley, Goscote, Beechdale, Harden and Coalpool.
- South Community Mental Health Team This team covers central Walsall including: Caldmore, Palfrey, Pleck, Chuckery, Delves Birchills and Alumwell.
- East Community Mental Health Team This team covers Aldridge, Brownhills Shelfield, Rushall, Wasall Wood, Pelsall, and Pheasey.
- West Community Mental Health Team This team covers all of Darlaston, Moxley and Willenhall including Short Heath and New Invention.
Assertive Outreach Team
Some people who have a diagnosed mental illness are very difficult to provide support or treatment to because of their reluctance to, or fear of, having contact with services. These 'difficult to engage' people may be referred to a specialist community team called an Assertive Outreach Team.
This borough-wide, multi-agency team supports people with severe mental health problems who are at high risk of relapse, often due to non-engagement with services. It aims to prevent relapse and/or re-admission to hospital.
If you need help but do not have a G.P
If you, or someone you care for needs help but you do not have a G.P., or feel unable to discuss these problems with your G.P. you can contact the mental health crisis team