First contact mental health practitioner
What is a first contact mental health practitioner?
Are you feeling sad, anxious, or experiencing low mood? Our First Contact Mental Health Practitioners (FCMHP)are working in the GP surgery and available to offer you some support. The FCMHP can;
- Support the GP to assess your needs
- Offer advice
- Introduce you to help and support in the community
- If necessary introduce you to specialise services
Patients who are suitable to be seen by the first contact mental health practitioner
- Mild to moderate mental health problems
- 18+
- Depression, anxiety, stress, panic, difficulty with emotions, feeling suicidal, feeling overwhelmed
- Those who are on a waiting list for treatment but feel they need their mood reviewed
- Anyone feeling their mental health is relapsing
- People unable to follow a structured treatment model
- Not under secondary care services or actively receiving treatment
When would an urgent appointment be necessary?
- People who are in emotional distress
- People who are experiencing thoughts they would be better off dead or hurting themselves in some way
- Appointment will consist of safety planning and liaison with other services if necessary
- If actively harming or planning to end life contact 999 or TEWV Crisis Service: 0800 0516 171
How can patients be referred in to see our first contact mental health practitioner?
- Call reception and ask to be booked straight in to an appointment
OR
- GPs/nurses can book patients in following a consultation if a mental health need is identified
If you have immediate concerns regarding your mental health including self-harm or thoughts of suicide please contact 999 or TEWV Crisis Service: 0800 0516 171