Talk about it Understanding and improving your emotional wellbeing
Talk about it This information will hopefully show you the best places to go for the support you need for your emotional wellbeing. NHS Support Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the NHS provider of mental health & specialist learning disability services within the county. The organisation offers assessment and treatment for mental health issues and learning disabilities within community, residential and hospital settings. The Trust deals with a wide variety of issues relating to emotional health and wellbeing. This can include issues such as depression, anxiety, stress as well as more serious issues such as schizophrenia, personality disorder and specialist illnesses such as dementia. Most people are referred to these services via their GP, so this should be the first place you go if you are worried about yourself or someone you know.
Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust We can also offer you support through your GP from our primary mental health services. These offer you support for mild concerns without needing to see a psychiatrist or go to hospital. Ask your GP for more information or visit www.hertspartsft.nhs.uk. All GP practices in Hertfordshire will have these services by December 2009. Some of our services can be accessed directly without the need for a GP. These are: Early Intervention Service For people aged 14-35 who may be experiencing issues such as worrying feelings, problems in sleeping or concentrating, unrealistic thoughts, sudden mood swings or hearing voices. Email emailus2day@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01442 275460 (Hemel Hempstead) or 01992 705857 (Hoddesdon)
Enhanced Primary Mental Health Services Rapid access, via your GP or self referral, to a range of short term interventions; without needing to see a psychiatrist or go to hospital. The team is made up of experienced professionals and will offer help and advice if you have a mild to moderate mental health problem.www.hertspartsft.nhs.uk Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services The service treats emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents. Such emotional problems include depression, anxiety and phobias. The behavioural problems include extreme aggression at home and school, delinquency and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Other serious issues can be anorexia, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder. Presenting problems can be self-harm or taking overdoses, non-school attendance, school exclusion, or police involvement. www.hertspartsft.nhs.uk If it is an evening or weekend and you need help for you or someone else in an emergency, you can contact the Trust out of hours team on 0300 123 4042.
County Council Support Adult Care Services works closely with health services, district councils and other agencies to provide information, advice, support and care to older people, people with learning disabilities, people with physical disabilities or sensory needs and other adults who are vulnerable and would have difficulty living independently without some support. Support is also offered to carers, to see if we can help them in their caring role and to ensure their own needs are met. Our aim is to help people live as independently as possible and our efforts are focused on helping people to maintain or regain control over their own lives wherever possible. Adult Care Services 0300 123 4042 0300 123 4041 (Minicom/Textphone only)
Countywide Community Services Herts Mind Network & Mind in Mid Herts are Community mental health organisations providing a diverse range of Recovery orientated services across the county. All services are free of charge and can be accessed directly by calling one of the telephone numbers below: Herts Mind Network (covering Cheshunt, Bishop s Stortford, Ware, East Hertsmere, Dacorum and Watford and Three Rivers) 08444 772212 www.hertsmindnetwork.org Mind in Mid Herts (covering St Albans, Welwyn, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hertford & North Hertfordshire) 01727 865070 www.mindinmidherts.org.uk
Carers in Hertfordshire If you are a carer and would like information please contact Carers in Hertfordshire. Staff can spend time with you planning the support you need and finding out where you can get help from a range of services. Carers in Hertfordshire also encourage carers to have a real say and become more involved in the planning and delivery of services. Carers in Hertfordshire 01992 586969 www.carersinherts.org.uk
Guideposts Trust provides a range of direct services and information for: older people people with dementia people with or recovering from mental health problems people with learning disabilities carers children with special needs Guideposts Trust 01923 223554 (South West Hertfordshire) 01920 484946 (East Hertfordshire, Learning Disability Services Only) www.guidepoststrust.org.uk
Viewpoint Viewpoint is a mental health service user involvement project in Hertfordshire, supporting people who use or who have used mental health services and enabling them to help make positive changes to services. Viewpoint hold local forums and meetings to take service user views and suggestions to mental health service providers, as well as attending statutory meetings and work with organisations to encourage service user participation at all levels. Viewpoint 01707 328014 www.hertsviewpoint.co.uk
Erainbow Hertfordshire BME Partnership The partnership exists as a network hub to enable the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in Hertfordshire achieve their potential, access and receive quality services and promote community and social cohesion. 01707 262548 www.erainbow.org
Hertfordshire Community Development Workers Hertfordshire currently has a number of community development workers who offer support and advice to ethnic minority communities in Hertfordshire around their emotional health and wellbeing. This can involve helping you get the right support within your community, helping you access and be involved in community activities, and, if necessary, access to local mental health services if you start to feel unwell. They can also help you become involved in having a say in the running of local services. Community Development Workers are available during the day, Monday to Friday, and can be contacted on the numbers below: Sachdev Seyan Senior Community Development Worker covering North Hertfordshire 07909 930414 Monika Wodecka Community Development Worker covering East Hertfordshire 07775 822668
Steve Knight - Community Development Worker covering West Hertfordshire 07824 626725 Raja Chelvachandran - Community Development Worker, North Hertfordshire 07786 915471 Azra Dautovic - Community Development Worker, Bosnian & Herzegovinian Communities 07936 753666 Pravina Patel - Community Development Worker, Communities in Watford 07950 564795 Minakshi Amin - Community Development Worker, BME Communities in Watford 07877 520405 Sabrina Robinson Community Development Worker, HertsMind Network. 07922 161057
Regional Services for Ethnic Minority Communities South & East Hertfordshire Ethnic Minority Association (EMA) of Broxbourne The EMA is an umbrella organisation for Ethnic Minority voluntary community groups and individuals. The EMA supports local member groups that are offering a service in the borough of Broxbourne, Hertfordshire. www.emab.org.uk Welwyn Hatfield Ethnic Minority (WHEM) Group The Welwyn Hatfield Ethnic Minority Group is a local support and awareness-raising group. The group has developed from a small number of volunteers to a group of over thirty committed and enthusiastic members and meets formally and informally on a regular basis in and around Hatfield town centre. The Welwyn Hatfield Ethnic Minority Group would like to extend a warm welcome to any group or individual interested in its aims and objectives. If you or your group would like to find out more please get in touch with us. 01707 262548 - www.whemgroup.org.uk
West Hertfordshire Watford Asian Community Care Community based organisation providing health and social care services for Asian people. It develops and provides ethnically and culturally sensitive services to the elderly, the disabled, the socially isolated and their carers. Watford Asian Community Care works in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and operates in the boroughs of Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere. Services include; Luncheon Clubs, Carer Support, Mental Health Support and Meals on Wheels 01923 229903, www.wa-cc.org.uk Watford African Caribbean Association Exists to meet the educational, social and cultural needs of the African and Caribbean community of Watford and surrounding areas. Services include; African/Caribbean Elders group, Creative Minds (arts & crafts), Sickle Cell & Thalassemia support, Carers Support Group, African & Caribbean supplementary school. 01923 220810 www.watfordafricarib.org.uk
Watford One World Forum Exists to: - celebrate diversity and foster respect, dignity and understanding across all communities; - address the needs and aspirations of all minority ethnic communities in Watford and challenge racism and prejudice. They work to ensure that all individuals and communities can participate fully in the community including in its decision-making processes, and in its educational, social, economic and cultural life. They ensure that Watford s minority ethnic communities benefit from healthy well-supported voluntary organisations - ensure that Watford s minority ethnic communities are appropriately represented in formal and informal networks and decision-making processes. 01923 254400 www.mywatford.net/sites/oneworldforum
North Hertfordshire Ravidassia Community Centre Multicultural centre located in Hitchin. The Centre serves everyone regardless of race, colour, caste, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other factor. The Centre is named after Sri Guru Ravidass Ji who was a great Indian Religious Leader and reformer of the fifteenth Century, who preached social justice, fairness and equality. Thus, the Centre draws inspiration from his name in its efforts for serving the community at large. The main aim of the Centre has been capacity building for the community through its services and activities. They are summarised by the acronym SUM that stands for support, up skilling and multicultural awareness. Health education and promotion have been recently added to these. 01462 626201/02/03 www.ravidassia.co.uk
North Hertfordshire Ethnic Minority Forum The Forum provides various services to improve the quality of life of Ethnic Minority communities in Hitchin and surrounding areas. These include information, advice and guidance on housing, benefits, employment, education, training and health matters. The Forum also a has range of skills development course and activities to increase the employability of BME people. There are projects for children and young people to support them in education and prevent any future disadvantage. The Forum is also used by various organisations as an access and meeting point to reach BME communities. 01462 440224 www.nhmef.org.uk
Stevenage World Forum Exists to address the needs and aspirations of the minority ethnic communities of Stevenage and aims to improve the quality of life, fulfil potential and enhance participation in the educational, social, economic and cultural life of the borough. The Forum endeavours to achieve this by fostering understanding across all communities and by working in partnership with statutory providers and the voluntary sector. 01438 369600 www.worldforum.org.uk
Other general services Domestic Violence Hertfordshire Domestic Violence/Abuse Line 08 088 088 08 An information and advice line. Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 A helpline and website which gives information and support to victims of crime, whether or not they have reported the crime to the police. Man2Man 0208 698 9649 A helpline for male victims of domestic violence. Broken Rainbow 08452 60 44 60 A helpline and website for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who are experiencing domestic violence.
Children and Young People Childline:0800 11 11 A helpline and website providing counsellors for children and young people to talk to. NSPCC:0808 800 5000 The NSPCC specialises in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. Hearts Desire Hearts Desire has a passion to work with all types of young people regardless of background. The team is comprised of specialist coaches and support workers who have successfully helped community groups, individuals and agencies achieve their goals. Lincoln Beckford Youth Coach: 07956 220595 01923 246195 Older People Hertfordshire County Council Adult Care Services 0300 123 4042 0300 123 4041 (Minicom/Textphone only) Age Concern Hertfordshire Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141 Elder Abuse aims to prevent abuse in old age by raising awareness and promoting research.
Women Watford Women s Centre Offers support, information and a range of activities in a non-judgemental, women only environment to enable women to make informed choices and have some control over their lives. There is a domestic abuse support group and awareness programme, counselling service and free legal, debt and housing advice. 01923 816229 www.watfordwomenscentre.org.uk Jewish Women's Aid A counselling and outreach service which helps Jewish women and their children escape domestic violence. It also provides the only kosher refuge in Europe. 0800 59 12 03 Solas Anois Providing refuge accommodation, advice and information for Irish women and Irish travelling women and their children escaping domestic violence. 0208 664 6289
Men Mens Health Malehealth provides essential, accurate, easy to use information about the key health problems that affect men. Packed with tips, expert advice and details of how men can check their own health and use health professionals more effectively. Malehealth provides the down-to-earth and practical resources men need to lead healthier, happier lives. www.malehealth.co.uk Education Learning Skills Council Portal where adults and young people can find out about educational opportunities available in their region. Community groups can also receive support with running local activities. www.lsc.gov.uk
General Muslim Community Helpline 020 8904 8193 Provides a confidential listening service and referrals to Islamic consultants, as well as practical help and information. Sunflower Centre Advice, information and support for victims of domestic abuse, race and hate crime in Dacorum and Watford. Services are free, confidential and provided in a non-judgemental manner. Email: sunflowerherts@googlemail.com www.sunflowerherts.org Hertfordshire Citizens Advice Bureau Advice and support on a range of personal matters e.g. benefits, housing, income etc. www.hertfordshirecab.org.uk
Top Tips for good health and wellbeing Ask for help - People often feel embarrassed asking for help. However, people can only help you if they know how you are feeling. Remember your good points - Remembering good things about yourself will help you see things more positively. Eat well - Eating well balanced meals regularly can make a big difference to your wellbeing. Share your feelings with family and friends - It s hard to cope with problems alone. Family and friends are there for support. Keep active - Doing light, regular, exercise makes a big difference to your wellbeing Write down your troubles - Writing things down can make things a lot clearer and more manageable. Do things you enjoy - One of the best ways to cope with life s ups and downs is to make time for yourself to do all the things that make you happy. If you require this information in a different language you can call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01727 804629