Southwark Primary Care Trust - Improving the health and wellbeing of Southwark

Mental health

Mental health is about how we think, feel and behave. One in four people in the UK have a mental health problem at some point in their lives that affects their daily life, relationships or physical health. Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender or social background. Without care and treatment, mental health problems can have a serious affect on the individual and those around them.

Find a mental Health Service for Southwark

We provide a comprehensive mental health service for adults of working age. Many of these services are provided by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

What to do in a mental health crisis

In the first instance people should be encouraged to go to their GP if they have a problem. If you are worried about a family member, friend, neighbour etc. you can contact one of the community mental health teams - preferably with that person's agreement if possible.

Counselling

Sometimes in life it helps to talk through our issues with an independent person to enable us to gain a different perspective on things. Counsellors are trained to listen without criticising you. It’s good to talk, and counselling offers a space to talk in a way that may be difficult elsewhere.

Southwark Psychological Therapies Service

For people suffering from all levels of depression and anxiety this is self referral service offering services ranging from guided self help to one to one sessions with a psychologist. There are also Vocational Specialists based in the teams who can offer advice on job retention, return to work, career decisions. The service is run from many different sites accross Southwark, mainly in GP surgeries. Referrals can be made directly by calling 020 3228 2194 or emailing sptsadmin@slam.nhs.uk. More information can be found by visiting the SLaM website.

This service is funded via the Working for Wellness Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme http://www.workingforwellness.org.uk/

Books on prescription

Self-help books can be very effective in helping with emotional or psychological problems. These books have been recommended by psychologists and counsellors and can be borrowed from any Southwark library. The scheme enables high quality self-help books to be prescribed by GPs and other health professionals.

Strategic and Redesign of Psychological and Counselling Therapies Review

This report describes a project undertaken by Mental Health Strategies on behalf of NHS Southwark to review and redesign psychological and counselling therapies services in Southwark. The project commenced on the 31st May 2010 and completed on 14th October 2010.