The specialist older adults mental health service (SOAMHS) in Ealing, Hounslow, and Hammersmith and Fulham offers a service for people over the age of 70, who have mental health difficulties requiring specialist intervention, which cannot be met by primary care or other partners, such as NHS talking therapies.
SOAMHS has several key responsibilities concerning mental health difficulties for older adults:
• Assessment
• Treatment and Intervention
• Support to maximise independent living
• Promotion of mental wellbeing
• Support for carers.
If you're referred to our service, the following will happen:
A member of the team will contact you to make sure that you wish to proceed with the assessment. If you choose to proceed, you'll be asked about your symptoms and relevant history. We may also speak to someone close to you for more information if you are in agreement and it seems it may be helpful.
The assessment will help us to work with you to identify your needs and direct you to the most appropriate intervention. If you need support with communication during the assessment process, we will be able to arrange this for you.
The specialist older adults mental health service (SOAMHS) team will discuss ways they can help you to cope better with your mental health needs and improve your quality of life. We offer a range of support depending on your needs. This may include:
· Further information about your condition
· Medication
· Specialist input to give you the opportunity to learn more about your mental health and ways to improve your quality of life
· Individual therapy from our team members
· Group work or group therapy - to help you learn more about ways forward from the professionals leading the group and with the support of others in similar situations
· The team can also put you in touch with other services that provide valuable support to people with mental health needs. We can also help you access other resources and services, such as suitable voluntary sector agencies.
What if I don’t want any help right now?
If you don’t feel you want any help right now, we will refer you back to your GP, but you can always be referred to the SOAMHS team in the future if needed.
Community psychiatric nurses (CPN)
Community psychiatric nurses are trained nurses with specialist knowledge of mental health who provide assessment, treatment, and interventions.
Occupational therapists (OTs)
Occupational therapists assess functioning and provide interventions to support you in achieving your goals and enhance your wellbeing.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are doctors who have expertise in understanding how mental health conditions can affect people. They may explore medication options and how they interact with physical health issues.
Clinical psychologists and clinical assistant psychologists (CAPS)
The psychology team undertakes assessments which can particularly help with understanding more complex presentations. They may also deliver specialist interventions and therapies including individual, family, and group work.
Link workers and nurse associates
Link workers and nurse associates work alongside the team to address risk and support you in engaging with our services. They help people to access, community or social groups, engage with new interests, or participate in activities.
Administrative staff
Administrative staff provide vital support to the whole team and help address queries when people contact the team.
If you or a person that you care for would like an assessment, please contact your GP. They may refer you to specialist older adults mental health service (SOAMHS) after consideration of other causes of your problems and ways to help you.
The specialist older adults mental health service (SOAMHS) is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (apart from Bank Holidays). If you need help out of hours, you can contact your GP or call NHS 111.
Single point of access (SPA)
The mental health single point of access is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you need urgent help or are in a crisis, you get help or advice from our trained mental health advisors.
You can call for free on 0800 328 4444
Mind
Further information and support about mental health conditions are available on the Mind website.
The Mind information line can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm (except bank holidays) on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans
If you're having a difficult time and want to talk to someone for support, the Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123.
If you're interested in mental health research, you can find further details on the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) website.