Access services: Brighton and Hove

Details

Last updated on Monday, 16 January 2012 17:36

The Access Service offers 18-65 year olds in Brighton and Hove a single entry point to mental health services.

We provide help to people experiencing emotional, psychological or mental health problems. 

Our belief is that a small amount of help early on when a person experiences difficulties may prevent them becoming more troubled and therefore needing more intensive treatment at a later date.

The service generally serves two main functions:

• Access staff undertake assessments and provide advice in Primary Care.
• Psychological therapies are offered through the Service to people experiencing 'mild to moderate' mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety.

Primary Care means front line health services such as GPs or staff at A&E; the first people you contact for your health needs.

The Access Service works with staff in Primary Care acting as a link to specialist mental health services (Secondary Care) and voluntary organisations (Third Sector). 

To enable this link, the Service has allocated a Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner (PCMHP) to each GP practice in the city. 

They offer mental health advice to GPs and their patients and carry out assessments along side our medical staff. 

PCMHPs also provide short treatments where appropriate and advise on local services outside the NHS that can help people with their difficulties.

Psychological therapies are offered through the Access Service for people experiencing difficulties such as stress, anxiety, depression, low self esteem and assertiveness. These are sometimes referred to as ‘common mental health problems' as at least a quarter of people are affected by them at some point in their life.

Psychological therapies are generally offered at a 'high level' or 'low level' of intensity with dedicated practitioners working in each area.

If you are experiencing psychological difficulties or are worried about your mental health, speak to your GP who can refer you to the Access Service. 

If you need immediate support please contact your GP or in an emergency visit your local Accident & Emergency.

You can also phone the Sussex Mental Healthline on 0300 5000 101 outside office hours.

A list of other helpful services can be found on our Useful Resources page.