Mental Health
Orkney Islands Council provides four main areas of services for people suffering from Mental Health problems.
Care Management
People over the age of 16 experiencing mental health difficulties, including dementia, can access services to meet their needs through the Community Mental Health Team. This can be accessed either by an individual or someone on their behalf contacting the duty worker at the Community Mental Health Team at the Stromness Town House.
Simple, straightforward queries may be dealt with over the telephone. Should a full assessment be required to identify specific needs, this will be undertaken by arrangement with the service user. Occupational therapists within the Care Management Team can offer functional assessments where necessary.
Needs identified during an individual’s assessment may be met by the Orkeny Health and Care or by referral to other agencies who provide services on behalf of the Council.
There is also the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CHMHS) which are a part of the Community Mental Health Team. The service is open to children between the ages of 0-18 years.
They respond to referrals of children and young people who are experiencing mental health difficulties or who are at a high degree of risk of developing mental heath problems. Within Orkney their role has also been expanded to encompass the wider risk factors that lead children and young people to self-harm.
Home Treatment Programme
The Home Treatment Pilot Programme in the West Mainland consists of a team of professionals including GPs, Community Care, Housing and NHS Orkney staff with a link to the consultant psychiatrist at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen.
The programme provides immediate assessment and treatment which can be made available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for short periods of time to individuals over 18 experiencing a mental health crisis. It is intended that wherever possible this should be in their home environment.
It offers intensive mental health care for people with severe mental illness in order to allow a more planned admission or as an alternative to hospital admission for those who experience acute mental health difficulties or to facilitate an earlier discharge from hospital.
Outreach Support
There is currently a Service Manager (Mental Health), two full time Mental Health Social Workers, one of which is allocated to Dementia Services and two full time Mental Health Outreach Support Workers who can provide specialist services to people with mental health needs in their own home or at another suitable location.
Outreach Support can also be accessed by Orkney Health and Care on individuals’ behalf through spot purchase from Orkney Blide Trust. There is a Befriending Service operated by Orkney Blide Trust which the Orkney Health and Care helps to fund.
Mental Health Officers
There are four Mental Health Officers who are accessible on an “as available” basis however at times this may not constitute 24 hour cover.