Mental health
Hammersmith & Fulham social services provide an integrated mental health service in partnership with the West London Mental Health NHS Trust to provide support for people in the borough who have mental health problems.
We aim to help people live as independently as possible and where appropriate to manage their own mental health.
The help you are given depends on your needs at the time you make contact with your doctor or hospital. Some people may need inpatient hospital care for a short time while others can continue to live at home, but may need support to do so. You may be offered drug treatments or talking therapies such as counselling or psychotherapy or a combination of both. You will be told why you are being given certain treatments, and in most cases will be able to make choices about the type of help you receive. If your doctor feels you need longer term support, he or she may also refer you to a Community Mental Health Team (see below).
If you feel you need more information, or would like to speak to someone other than the professionals providing your care, you should ask about user groups in your area. These are groups of current and ex-users of mental health services who can provide you with support. Your doctor or local Mind should be able to put you in touch with these groups.
Community Mental Health Teams
Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) are teams made up of different professionals, such as psychiatrists, social workers, community psychiatric nurses, support workers, psychologists and occupational therapists, who work with people with severe and enduring mental health problems. The teams cannot be accessed directly, their services are only available to people referred to them by a doctor or other qualified person.
Support provided by a CHMT includes:
- help to manage any medication you are taking
- help with social issues or practical problems relating to your mental health problems
- individual and group therapies, including alternative therapies
- practical aids and support to cope at home
- support to access daytime activities
There are four teams covering the borough. You will be referred to the one closest to where you live.
Where can I get help?
Your first point of contact should be your own doctor. He or she may provide support themselves or may refer you to another specialist service within the borough.
You can also ask Mind for advice on the services available locally. Call them on 020 8741 0661 or visit them at 153 Hammersmith Road.
Outside office hours, you can call the social services emergency team on 020 8748 8588 or ask for help from your local hospital Accident & Emergency department
If you have a complaint, please contact either:
Complaints Manager
West London Mental Health Trust
Uxbridge Road
Southall
Middlesex
UB1 1EU
Telephone: 020 8354 8174Customer Care Unit
3rd Floor
145 King Street
Hammersmith
W6 9XY
Telephone: 020 8753 5101
