Mental health services and support
If you have mental health problems, talk to your GP. There are services that can help and support you. This includes your GP and specialised healthcare professionals. The earlier you seek help the easier it will be to identify and resolve your problems.
Your GP
Usually all assessments start with your doctor.
Your GP will assess your needs and help you decide what to do next.
Your GP may treat you directly or refer you to mental health services.
Your visit is confidential. The doctor will not tell anyone else what you discuss without your consent.
They can share information without your consent:
- if there is a legal obligation
- for your safety or the safety of others
Mental health services
If you are referred to mental health services, they will decide your level of priority and contact you to make an appointment.
If your mental health problems are compromising your personal safety, mental health services will see you as soon as possible.
When you are referred to mental health services, a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or a mental health nurse may assess you.
Mental health services will ask you about your:
- problems, thoughts and feelings
- personal history, including any previous treatments that worked for you
- social history, including details about your relationship and family life
- previous emotional and mental health problems
- lifestyle
- physical health needs
- any medication you take
Personal wellbeing plan
Mental health services will explain any diagnosis being made and will work with you to develop a personal wellbeing plan (PWP).
Your personal wellbeing plan summarises your needs, treatment and care options to help you recover.
This may include one or several interventions, such as:
- talking therapies
- family and social care
- occupational and lifestyle coaching
- drug therapy
Your Health and Social Care Trust may arrange care from a range of medical professionals.
Find out more about who may be involved in supporting your mental health at:
Acute mental health services
If you are in crisis, you may:
- receive intensive home support from a crisis resolution and home treatment team
- be admitted into a hospital for support from a specialist hospital care team if you are temporarily unable to manage independently
Specific services
You may need care from a specialist team, such as:
- alcohol or drug addiction
- eating disorders
- psychological therapies or trauma
- personality disorders
- forensic services
What happens when it's an emergency
If you are in crisis or despair, find out where to go for help at:
If you're in danger of harming yourself or others and you refuse treatment, you may need an emergency assessment
A doctor and an approved social worker (a social worker who is specially trained in mental health) will assess you.
You may have to be admitted to hospital against your will for assessment.
This assessment should make sure you get the support and care you need and that you don't harm yourself or anyone else.
There are three ways to have an emergency assessment:
- by going to the emergency department at a local hospital
- by contacting your GP or your GP out of hours service
- if the police take you to a place of safety
A place of safety could be:
- your own home
- a hospital emergency department
- a police station
Review of your treatment
A review will take place three months after you go into hospital.
If necessary, you will be asked if you give your permission for the treatment to continue.
If you refuse permission, a second independent doctor (a second opinion appointed doctor or SOAD), will be asked to confirm that treatment should continue against your will.
Services in your area
Help at home
This may include services such as meals and wheel and home help.
Accommodation
Supported housing and group homes
Supported housing and group home schemes provide furnished housing for people who can live independently but benefit from having access to support workers.
Hostels
Hostels provide short-term housing to encourage independence while supporting your needs.
Workers include:
- nurses
- social workers
- mental health support workers
Residential care and nursing homes
Residential social workers, nurses and mental health support workers can provide 24-hour care.
This is for people who need a high level of care and find it hard to manage in their own home.
You need a community care assessment to get these support services. Your health worker can tell you if you are eligible.
Further information is available at:
Find out more about services in your Trust area at the links below:
- Mental health services (Belfast Trust website)
- Mental health services (Northern Trust website)
- Mental health services (South Eastern Trust website)
- Mental health services (Southern Trust website)
- Mental health services (Western Trust website)
- Find a mental health organisation in your area
Friends and relations
Friends and relations often notice changes in you. They become concerned. Talking to them may help you both.
You can take someone with you to a doctor's appointment if you're worried about going alone.
If you’re under 18
Talk to your parents or guardians. You could also talk to:
- a teacher
- youth worker
- doctor
- Childline
ChildLine is a free and confidential 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress.
You don't need to tell them your name.
- Freephone:0800 1111
Students
Your college or university may have a counsellor you could talk to.
For more information, contact Student Wellbeing Service at your college or university.
Other support
Other people who may be able to help are:
- health visitors
- employers
- charities
- self-help groups
HSC NI apps library
Additional online support for your mental health is available through the HSC NI apps library(external link opens in a new window / tab).
The apps library has many online tools to help you take care of your health and wellbeing.
Most selected apps are free to download. However, some may include in-app purchases.
They are safe to use and offer support across a range of areas including:
- anxiety
- depression
- sleep
- general wellbeing
- medication reminders