In the Community

General Practitioners (GPs)

If you have a health problem of any kind, the first person you should usually contact would be your Doctor/General Practitioner (GP). If you go to your GP with a mental health problem, you may be offered support and counselling for a short time or prescribed some form of medication. Alternatively you may be referred to the Primary Care Mental Health Service, or to a specialist mental health out-patient clinic, or to another organisation or person that could help you according to your needs. Many sources of help, particularly within the National Health Service, require a letter of referral from your GP. Voluntary organisations sometimes do not. (See Local Voluntary Organisations)

GPs vary widely in their approach to mental health problems. If you are not happy with the way your GP is supporting you for a mental health problem you may be able to see another GP in the same practice or you may need to consider changing your GP practice. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service at Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust can give you information about this (Tel: 0800 013 0255)

Specialist Community Mental Health Services

In Middlesbrough, the majority of specialist mental health services are provided by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) Mental Health Trust or jointly by TEWV Trust and Middlesbrough Council Social Care Department. If your GP feels you need specialist help for your mental health problem, they may refer you for an assessment with a Community Mental Health Team. This assessment should identify any support you would benefit from, such as support from a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker or Community Psychiatric Nurse. In Middlesbrough, the community-based specialist services are based at Parkside and Lakeside Mental Health Resource Centres.

Parkside Community Mental Health Resource Centre
Park Road North,
Middlesbrough
TS1 3LF
Tel: 01642 230542

Lakeside Community Mental Health Resource Centre
Viewley Centre,
Hemlington,
Middlesbrough,
TS8 9JH
Tel: 01642 591226

If you have any questions or comments, or are not happy about any service you receive from TEWV NHS Trust, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service who will try to resolve any problems you have. Tel: 01642 516458.