Talk to your GP (doctor)

An average appointment with the GP lasts for about 6-8 minutes if you feel you need more time ask for a double appointment or for an appointment at the end of surgery. If you are very distressed the GP may arrange to see you about once a week until you have been referred on to other services.

• Talk through your problems with you.
  
• Prescribe short-term medication such as anti-depressants and tranquillisers.
  
• Refer you to specialist NHS treatment in hospital or in the community.
  
• Refer you to counselling, psychotherapy or a complementary therapy.

If you need the support of a GP ort of hours you should ring the normal surgery number and in most cases there will either be a recorded message giving information or your call will be diverted to the out of hours GP Service.

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.