Mental Health Service
Mental Health Poster updated May 2012
What we do
Mental Health Carers Workers support carers caring for someone with any mental illness, this includes anxiety and depression, bi polar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorders to name but a few. The cared for (service user) must be between the ages of 18 - 65.
What we do
We offer free and confidential advice and information that is both general and specific to the carer’s situation.
Emotional Support:
For times when a carer needs someone to talk to, who understands their situation. This can be one-to-one at home or at a venue away from home, (either venue being mutually agreed between carer and mental health worker). Telephone support is also offered.
Liaison with other professionals and agencies:
When the carer needs help to find their way through mental health services and communicating their needs to other health and social care professionals.
Sign posting:
Informing the carer of other services and agencies both statutory and independent, who can help with specific issues such as housing, benefits, drop-ins etc.
A voice for carers:
Providing a voice for carers to ensure that their views are heard by those who can make a difference.
New Mental Health forum where mental health carers can have your say:
CASS Mental Health Carers Workers, Diane Robbins and Sam Bradbury, are working with representatives from the Mental Health Service User Networks in the county to develop a new forum which will be a focus for the promotion, facilitation and ongoing reality of effective participatory involvement of service users & carers in the commissioning and provision of mental health services and monitoring the quality and effectiveness of these.
Carers and service users who have concerns, ideas or suggestions regarding mental health service delivery and or design can be channelled via this forum where they will be considered and the most appropriate way of taking them forward will be decided. Where there are themes occurring the forum can report these to the Mental Heath Partnership Board and responses taken back to the relevant groups or individuals.
Carers can feed into the forum via Diane or Sam or can request a ‘HAVE YOUR SAY’ form, just call the office on 01785 222365 for one to be sent to you. Diane or Sam will contact you to discuss your submission before taking this forward to the forum.
Mental Health Carers Packs:
We provide specific Mental Health Carers Packs— ring CASS on 01785 606675 or Making Space on 01925 231402 for more information Mental Health Carers Service Leaflet
We provide specific Mental Health Carers Packs— ring CASS on 01785 606675 or Making Space on 01925 231402 for more information Mental Health Carers Service Leaflet
Click on the poster if you are in West Staffordshire and care for a relative or friend who has a mental illness.Other help available:
Free and confidential Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline on: 0808 800 2234
on-line: www.staffordshirementalhealth.info
For information and details on a range of mental health services and projects where you can get help and advice.
MDF Burton Bi-Polar Explorers self help group. For more information click here
Have your say:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
The service aims to:
- advise and support patients, their families and carers
- provide information on NHS services
- listen to concerns, suggestions or queries
- help sort out problems listen to concerns, suggestions or queries
Useful Links
Direct Gov - Mental health and support as you get older
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Over50HealthAndWellBeing/
LookingAfterYourself/DG_10026825
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Over50HealthAndWellBeing/
LookingAfterYourself/DG_10026825
Recommended Reading
New Horizons - A Shared Vision for Mental Health, HM Government
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/digit
alasset/dh_109708.pdf
Rethink Caring and Coping—A Rethink Guide for people new to caring for someone with severe mental illness; Editor Mary Teasdale; Publisher Rethink 2003.
alasset/dh_109708.pdf
Rethink Caring and Coping—A Rethink Guide for people new to caring for someone with severe mental illness; Editor Mary Teasdale; Publisher Rethink 2003.
Handbook for new informal carers and offers strategies to deal with the practical day to day challenges that are thrown up by the diagnosis of mental illness.
Partners in Care South Staffordshire Healthcare Foundation Trust—Getting more from GP Practices.
Contact the team
The two mental health workers provide support and information for people with mental health needs, from the age of 16 – 65.
Diane Robbins is the Mental Health Worker for the East of our region and is based in our Lichfield Office. Diane covers Burntwood, Lichfield, Tamworth, Uttoxeter and Burton-on-Trent.
You can contact Diane by phone on: 01543 301140
Sam Bradbury is the Mental Health Worker for the West of our region and is based in our Stafford Office. Sam covers Cannock Chase, Hednesford, Rugeley, Gt Wyrley, Stafford, Penkridge, Stone, Wombourne, Kinver, Essington and Featherstone.
You can contact Sam by phone on: 01785 222365
You can contact Sam by phone on: 01785 222365
