Primary Mental Health Work

Our Primary Mental Health Work service is an early intervention and prevention service. We help children and young people up to the age of 18. We also support their families and carers in Northumberland.

We support children and young people experiencing a range of emotional wellbeing and mental health problems such as:

Anxiety including panic, social anxiety and phobias
Habitual behaviours of an obsessive compulsive nature
Low mood and depression
Managing emotions and anger
Poor body image
Self-harm
Difficulty in adjusting to traumatic life events including parental separation, bereavement and bullying
Behavioural issues

Young people come and see us when:

The above issues are moderate in nature
It has not been resolved following initial help at school or at home
When it is having a significant impact on their day-to-day life.

We are also involved in improving mental health support in Northumberland schools as part of the Be you programme.

Treatment

Upon referral, we will carry out an initial assessment. This helps us to understand the nature of your difficulties. We can then identify the best support for you.

If we think our service can help, you may be eligible for treatments. This can vary depending on your personal needs.

It includes evidence-based support like self-help information and one-to-one advice. These will help to:

Challenge unhelpful thoughts
Increase your levels of activity
Help you find solutions through problem-solving and talking therapy. This can be either one-to-one, with parents or as a group.

Your care

After your referral, you will receive an offer of an initial appointment. This will take place over a video call and last around 30 minutes. You will receive instructions to join the call and the name of the clinician you will meet.

Your next appointment will offer an assessment. It will last around one hour. This appointment will give you the chance to discuss you and your concerns in detail. We will work with you to agree what the best way of helping will be.

You will always have time and the chance to ask questions. We want you to tell us if you do not understand. Or if you disagree with what we talk about.

Our team consists of primary mental health workers. They are core mental health professionals from the following backgrounds:

Registered mental health and paediatric nursing
Counselling
Social work
Art therapy
Occupational therapy

All of our staff are trained in assessing children and young people. Some staff have extra specialist training. The team is supported by an administration team.

It is very important that you feel supported during your treatment. If you are under 16, a parent/carer should come to the initial appointment. This means we can introduce ourselves and have a brief talk with them. You can then choose to speak alone. Or they can stay to support you.

After your first assessment, appointments can either be online or face-to-face. These would be at one of the below venues. We hold clinics Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Your appointment could take place at one of these venues based on where you live.

Central: Ashington Family Hub, Newbiggin Family Hub, Bedlington Family Hub, Wansbeck Child Health

North: Alnwick Health Centre, Hadston Family Hub, Berwick Family Hub, Alnwick Family Hub

West: Dene Park House, Oaklands Health Centre, Ponteland Primary Care Centre, Hexham Family Hub

South East: Cramlington Health Centre, Blyth Family Hub

During term time, we can see you in school.

Videos

Confidentiality

Everything you say to a member of staff will be confidential. The only exception is if they feel you or someone else is at risk of harm. If this happens, your PMHW worker will talk to you. They will tell you who they need to tell and what details will be shared.

Access to the service

GPs, school staff, social workers and school public health nurses can refer you to our service. In Northumberland, you can self-refer by calling 01661 864588 or completing this form (link).

If we think your needs would be best met by another service, we will explain this to you. We will help you to access a more appropriate service. It helps us if you agree to this in your referral. This consent allows us to forward your referral to the best service for your needs.

We provide advice and support to professionals including:

Telephone consultation and advice
Liaison through the multi-agency early help hub processes
Teaching and training on children’s mental health for colleagues supporting children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Health or education professionals and social workers with concerns about a child or young person can get in touch by: