Hemel Hempstead residents reminded of support available ahead of World Mental Health Day

Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is urging residents to get in touch if they need some support ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10.

All the mental health and learning disability services provided by HPFT are open and the trust recently launched a 24/7 freephone number and a webchat service earlier this year.

All HPFT sites have been risk assessed to ensure they comply with all the necessary guidance to help keep our staff and service users safe.

The staff wear all the correct protective equipment and are using the latest technology to provide a range of consultation options, including by phone, video and online consultations, instead of face-to-face appointments where it is appropriate to do so.

The freephone helpline: 0800 6444 101 is open at any time of the day or night and there is still the option to access our team of mental health professionals directly via the NHS 111 service, by selecting option 2.

HPFT’s new webchat service allows people to chat to the team online, by clicking on the red circle, which is on the right hand side of every page of HPFT’s website - www.hpft.nhs.uk.

After providing name and date of birth details, as well as a contact number and postcode, people can live chat online with a member of the helpline team.

The HPFT Wellbeing (IAPT) Service continues to provide support to adults experiencing mental health problems including depression and anxiety.

The service can take self-referrals and also offers free access to innovative digital, video and telephone based talking therapies including a wide range of self-help webinars and resources. For more information click here.

Sandra Brookes,HPFT’s executive director of service delivery and service user experience, said: “All our services continue to be available, so please contact our helpline team, if you’d like some mental health support for yourself or for someone who you are caring for.”

Cllr Tim Hutchings, Executive Member for Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council said: “We understand that people of all ages are under a lot of extra pressure at the moment with the worry of COVID-19.

"We would encourage anyone who is struggling to open up and talk to someone if things are worrying them.

"The freephone helpline is open at all times and there is lots of support and information available for young people and parents on the JustTalk website.”

Detective Inspector at Hertfordshire Constabulary, Jo Briggs said: “The Mental Health and Policing Unit works closely with our local health partners.

"The coronavirus pandemic has made 2020 an especially tough year for a lot of people and I’d encourage residents who are experiencing anxiety, depression or mental health issues to seek help by calling the HPFT freephone number or use the webchat facility.

“Although there are many people who seek help when suffering with mental health, we believe there are many more who may be struggling and we encourage them to seek support.

"Our job is to make sure no-one is unnecessarily detained under the Mental Health Act and people with mental health issues receive the most appropriate support, including in custody.

"We also have a triage car which is double crewed by a police officer and a mental health practitioner who can assess and help a person at a time of crisis.”