Professionals

Guidance for professionals in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Please complete our online referral form via the link below. This referral form is to NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies for patients experiencing anxiety and depression. For requests for diagnosis, medication advice, or for support with more severe forms of mental illness, please refer to the relevant Neighbourhood Mental Health Teams.

Please note, support from NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies is available to people aged 16 and over in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies is not an urgent service and has a waiting list for treatment. Should your patient require more urgent mental health support due to being unable to keep themselves safe, please consider a referral to the Crisis Team or contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour mental health helpline via 0808 196 9127.

Make a referral on behalf of a patient in Herefordshire or Worcestershire

This guidance is designed to help anyone working in Herefordshire and Worcestershire access basic information and tools around supporting those struggling with mental health or suicide. 

It also highlights resources for you to maintain wellbeing and look after yourself after a difficult conversation.

The information provided is basic signposting and not for clinical mental health referrals.

If someone is upset, stressed or struggling with wellbeing, follow the SHUSH listening tips created by the Samaritans:

• Show you care: Focus on the other person, make eye contact and put away your phone.
• Have patience: It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to be open.
• Use open questions that need more than a yes or no answer and follow up with ‘tell me more’.
• Say it back to check you have understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution.
• Have courage: Don’t be put off by a negative response, and most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence.

Not sure how to ask about suicide?  Here are some conversation starters

Looking for more information about how to start, manage and close conversations about mental health? Mind, a mental health charity, have a comprehensive guide available to download. 

• Talking Therapies, formally known as 'Healthy Minds' or 'IAPT' provides a range of free, confidential support to people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. This includes Online therapy, groups and courses, and 1:1 support. We can also help you find and access a variety of groups, courses and activities delivered by other organisations.
• Visit our Downloadable Resources page for posters on the main routes to signpost children, young people and adults to support around their mental health in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 
• Now We’re Talking gives tailored signposting advice around a variety of mental health issues.
• Visit our Acting Together to Prevent Suicide campaign page for online resources including a step by step guide to helping someone in crisis.
• Talk Community from Herefordshire Council has a list of additional local services available for Herefordshire around mental health and suicide prevention.
• Worcestershire County Council has a list of additional local services available around mental health and suicide for Worcestershire.
• If the person is under 18 years old signpost them to the CAMHS children and young people's website
• If someone is struggling with their wellbeing, there are often small things you can do in addition to signposting to help someone.  Consider if there is any action you can take within your role to relieve their stress – sometimes this might simply be the way you approach a conversation.