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• anxiety or mild depression
• a severe mental illness
• danger of self harm or suicide combined mental health and addiction problems.

• help you to cope with day to day living
• help you to live safely and independently in your local community for as long as possible
• support your carers - relative, friends or neighbours who provide care for you.

Who are we?

A team of practice counsellors, social workers, psychologists and other health professionals working together to provide a service for people with common mental health problems in a primary care setting.

What do we offer?

We support people with common mental health problems by finding out what is wrong. We will then offer a range of treatment options. These options may include:

• one to one consultations
• self help material
• providing information about voluntary organisations and support groups, either nationally or locally
• counselling, problem solving
• the opportunity to discuss issues wih other people with the same problem
• support for carers
• advice on maintaining employment or returning to work
• advice on housing needs
• a wide range of other support options can be discussed with you to suite your individual needs

If my GP decides to refer me to the Primary Mental Health Care Team, what will happen?

Your GP will discuss with you why you are being referred and the benefits you will receive from the team.

Your referral will be received by the team and an initial appointment offered to you as soon as possible.

You will be seen by a member of the team who is trained in assessing the needs of people with common mental health problems. You will be informed who will be carrying out your assessment in advance of your appointment, by letter.

You will be seen in your GP surgery, for the initial appointment or occasionally at a local community clinic.

Depending on the treatment you need, the location and the treatment type will be discussed and agreed with you. The initial assessment will be approximately 40-50 minutes. 

Day Services

• meet and talk to other people
• take part in leisure activities
• gain skills and confidence through education training and work experience
• find and keep a job
• obtain advice and information to help you.

Bournemouth Social Services runs the Beechwood Centre in Boscombe, Turbary Park Day Centre and the Winton Centre which provide day services for people with mental health needs. We also work in partnership with:

• Bournemouth Borough Council's Education and Leisure Directorates
• Community Employment Services
• Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust.