Mental Health Services Information

If you or someone you know needs advice on mental health, there are a number of ways to get help. 

The South Eastern Trust offers a comprehensive range of mental health services in both community and hospital settings to those who are suffering from mental health problems.

Accessing Services

All hospital and community services with the exception of Addictions services and Mental Health Services for Older People are accessible through single point of entry services known as Mental Health Assessment Centres. These centres operate within each of the Trust’s 3 sectors covering the North Down & Ards, Down and Lisburn geographical areas. These services are supplemented out-of-hours by on-call arrangements provided to local Accident & Emergency Departments.

Referral to Mental Health Assessment services is through General Practitioner referral. All patients referred to the Assessment Centres are offered an initial assessment to determine the most appropriate services and treatment required to meet the individual’s needs. This may include allocation to community based mental health services or admission to acute mental health inpatient care for treatment. Services are provided by multidisciplinary teams comprising medical, nursing, social work, psychologists, occupational therapists, and specialist therapists.

Mental Health Assessment Centres:

The Mental Health Assessment Centres operate 7 days per week, 365 days per year from 9am – 8pm. Each centre is managed by a Clinical Coordinator who is the central point of contact for all communication. Each centre is staffed daily by a multidisciplinary team with access to a full range of mental health services following assessment.

Out-of Hours Services

An Emergency Psychiatric assessment and advice service is provided to Accident & Emergency Departments within each of the 3 sectors. This service operates from 8pm – 9am 7 days per week. Presently work is underway to further develop and strengthen this service and extend this service to out-of-hours GP services. Access to this service is presently through A&E referral to the Emergency Psychiatric Service. This includes out-of-hours assessments and next day contact/appointment where this has been agreed as indicated.

In addition to specialist mental health services, individuals can contact a range of Voluntary Organisations for advice and help, particularly in emergency and crisis.

The Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland website http://www.mindingyourhead.info/ provides advice and information for those who are worried about poor mental health, either their own or that of someone else, as well as those interested in maintaining good mental health.

Lifeline

Lifeline provides a 24/7 helpline for people of all ages anywhere in Northern Ireland who may be in distress or despair. Telephone 0 808 808 8000

The Samaritans

The Samaritans provide a listening ear 24 hours a day. Nationally you can call 08457 90 90 90 for the number of the Samaritans closest to you.

PIPS – Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-harm

For local support groups call the Belfast Office 028 90755070

Hopeline UK – Confidential helpline service staffed by trained professionals who can give support, practical advice to anyone concerned that a young person may be at risk of harming themselves. 0800684141

Out of Hours General Practitioner (G.P.) services.

From 6pm to 8am Monday to Friday, and 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

Hospital Services

A range of both acute and continuing care inpatient services are provided by the Trust. Hospital services include:

Acute mental health inpatient care is provided in each of the Trust’s 3 sectors. Inpatient treatment is provided for those who have severe mental health problems requiring treatment and care that cannot be provided in the community setting. Admission units are based in:

Continuing Care services are based at Downshire Hospital in Downpatrick and presently provide 39 beds. As part of strategic service development these patients will be resettled into the community in line with Departmental Priorities.

Psychiatric Intensive Care is provided in a 16 bedded unit at the Downshire Hospital

Addiction Inpatient Services are provided through a 14 bedded unit at Downshire Hospital. Referral to the Addictions Unit is through General Practitioner referral and the individual will be assessed by Community Addictions staff to determine if admission is indicated or more appropriately managed by Community Addictions Services. Inpatient treatment consists of a 24 day programme.

Community Mental Health Services

A comprehensive range of community mental health services are provided within each sector and cross Trust. These services include mental health outpatient clinics, psychology services, community mental health nursing and social work, residential and day care services, community addictions and specialist therapy services.

These services are provided through multidisciplinary teams based in localities within each of the Trust’s 3 sectors and primarily within the primary care setting. In line with the Single Point of Entry model, these services can be accessed through General Practitioner referral to the Mental Health Assessment Centre.

Community Addictions Services are provided through specialist teams based within each of the Trust’s sectors.