Mental Health

How we support those caring for an adult with mental health issues and other useful contacts.

// Carers In Herts > Resources > Support by Need > Mental Health

We want to encourage carers of an adult or child with a mental health condition to become more involved in the planning and delivery of health, social care, and community services in Hertfordshire.

In order to improve these services it is important that the experiences and views of carers are listened to and raised with those who commission and deliver services.

We believe we make a difference by working together, co-production. The involvement of carers is very much needed to:

Give carers a real say in what services are working well and how they are delivered.
Ensure planners and managers hear about services which are not effective or supportive.
Make sure services respect people’s dignity, independence and promote recovery.
Ensure carers get the help and advice they need when they need it.
Influence the development of new and better services.

Who are we?

We have a team of Carer Engagement Workers that are funded by NHS organisations in Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire County Council. They work with people in different caring situations, including with people looking after a relative, partner, or friend with a mental health condition, even if they misuse drugs or alcohol.

What do we do?

We will:

Provide you with opportunities to represent your views to the health and social care authorities who commission and manage mental health services in Hertfordshire.
Give you the space at events to meet and talk to other carers who have had similar experiences to your own.
Run the Carer Engagement Network, a great chance for you to get even more involved with informing countywide services and strategies on a more regular basis.

Interested? Head over to our Events page to see what we’ve got coming up, or make sure you’re registered with us as a carer to receive updates by email.

We then feed your views into Hertfordshire’s Mental Health Co-production Board, which has representatives from statutory services, the voluntary sector, service users and carers. For more information on Co-production in Hertfordshire click this link – Co-Production in Hertfordshire.

More help for you and the person you support

Hertfordshire Mind Network provides Hertfordshire’s out-of-hours mental health crisis service, Nightlight. The centres offer a safe haven for you to use if you want some time out or would like to talk through the issues that you are experiencing with someone who will listen, but not make judgements. They also provide a helpline for people in Hertfordshire to call if they are feeling distressed or experiencing a mental health crisis. You can call them seven days a week on 01923 256391.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) provides local support and care for those with mental ill health or a learning disability.

Rethink Mental Illness provide a range of services across the country, including carer support.

The Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board also has a list of services in the county which provide mental health support for adults which you may find useful. This list is available at this link.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Support

Are you worried your child or teenager is experiencing difficulties with their mental health or emotional wellbeing?

We can help you access the right support for both you, your child, and your family.

What is CAMHS?

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. They offer assessment and treatment when children and young people have emotional, behavioural, or mental health difficulties. These can include:

Anxiety
Bullying
Depression
Eating problems
Family relationships
Hearing voices
Problems at school
Self-harm
Suicidal feelings

Children and young people and their families can be referred to CAMHS if the young person is finding it hard to cope with family life, school, or the wider world. If these difficulties are too much for family, friends, or GPs to help with, CAMHS may be able to assist.

How can we help?

to speak to someone who understands.
to find support for yourself.
to get information and advice.

Have your say

If you have used CAMHS we would like to hear your views on how it can be improved. Your involvement is needed to let service providers know which services are working or need improvement and to make sure it respects people’s dignity, independence and promotes recovery. By having your say you can help shape the future delivery of CAMHS for other parents and carers.

You can also join our CAMHS Parents and Other Carers’ Involvement Network. This will give you the opportunity to:

Get support, information, and advice
Meet parents and other carers with similar experiences and share information and concerns
Tell us about your experiences of services by email, telephone, responding to surveys or attending one-off workshops.

Email us to register your interest and we will be in touch. (use subject: CAMHS).