Voluntary Sector Mental Health Support Service – referrals expanded to all health and social care teams

The new single point of access run by the voluntary sector offering low level mental health support that launched in Bury last month is now being expanded to accept referrals from all health and social care teams in Bury.

The service provides all age non-clinical, non-urgent support for individuals who are experiencing low level emotional health and wellbeing difficulties. The service will offer support through advice and guidance, provide coping and thriving toolkits and signposting to other services.  This offer will underpin our wider mental health services and crisis provision in Bury.

The Voluntary Sector Mental Health Support Service is provided by the Voluntary, Community and Faith sector Alliance, led by Early Break and mental health partners.

Who can refer into the service? All health and social care teams, such as those listed below but not exclusive to.

In Phase 2 of this 10 month pilot, referrals, enquiries and calls will only be from health and social professionals, Phase 3 will expand to referrals from the public at a later date.

·          Bury Community Hubs

·          Bury GPs

·          Healthy Minds / Healthy Young Minds

·          Social care teams for adults and children

·          Voluntary, Community and Faith Groups

·          Health staff working in the community, mental health and acute settings

·          NHS 111 / 999 GM Clinical Assessment Service (CAS)

·          Pennine Care NHS 24/7 Helpline / GMMH 24/7 Helpline for Bury residents

How to make a referral or get in touch – The service is available Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, enquiries can be made to: 0161 464 3679 (this phone number is for professionals only), and a referral form is attached that can be completed and e-mailed back to: [email protected]

What happens next? The call handler will review the referral with the referring professional and undertake further assessment to gain the information needed.

The individual will be provided with self-care and self-help resources, signposted to community resources or referred into services, in line with existing care pathways.

Other 24/7 Mental Health Help

Pennine Care 24/7 Mental Health Helpline 0333 200 4339, to support anybody who uses PCFT services (all ages) and their carers:  https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/help

GM Clinical Assessment Service (CAS) has been expanded to support 111 calls that require mental health support, all ages.

Digital mental health resources such as SHOUT text all age service (text GMBury to 85258) and Silver Cloud online therapy (16+) can be found here https://hub.gmhsc.org.uk/mental-health/digital-mental-health-resources/

Mental wellbeing resources are detailed on the Bury Council website with links through to the GM Hub for mental health. https://www.bury.gov.uk/mentalwellbeing

Published 4 June 2020