Working in health and social care is a demanding experience. As a healthcare professional, you often talk with people in distress and need to connect them with the right support quickly.
That is what Open Mental Health is here for: to make sure people get the right help at the right time, and we want to make the process as straightforward as possible for you.
Who we Support and What we Offer
Open Mental Health offers a wide range of interventions to people aged 18 and over in Somerset. Our support includes:
24/7 telephone support through our Mindline Somerset service, available on 01823 276892 or use the freephone number 0800 138 1692.
Out-of-hours support when things get difficult in the evenings or weekends. A patient can arrange a Crisis Safe Space appointment by calling Mindline or booking online.
When you refer a patient to Open Mental Health, our alliance can offer help and support with:
Easy-to-access drop-in sessions.
Peer support, available both one-to-one and in group settings.
Brief, solution-focused interventions to help people move forward.
Practical support for social and relationship difficulties, including advice on housing, finances, and accessing other services.
Guidance on finding occupation, activity, employment, and volunteering to promote overall wellbeing.
Specialist Support: This includes help for specific challenges, like eating disorders, through our partners at SWEDA.
Community connections: We help people rediscover their confidence through peer support groups, activity sessions, and social opportunities.
You can read more about the wide range of support options available through Open Mental Health in our Directory of Services.
How to Make a Referral
Getting someone connected with us is simple. As a professional, you can access our online referral page here >>
Sometimes, the person you are supporting might prefer to contact us themselves. If that is the case, they can fill out the online contact form on our website or simply call Mindline on the numbers above and ask to be referred to Open Mental Health.
Building a Helpful Referral
Taking a few extra minutes to gather context and build a clear picture in the referral ensures the person sitting in front of you gets the right help sooner. To make the best decision in a timely manner and get people the exact help they need, it is really helpful to have the following details:
The basics: We always need the person’s name, age or date of birth, and their full address, including the postcode and a telephone number–this ensures that the person is offered help in their local area.
What does “help” actually look like? Ask the person what they want to gain from this referral.
The wider context: What is going on for them in the here and now? For example, are they seeking support because they feel past experiences are affecting their current day-to-day life? Giving this context helps us understand what is impacting the person.
Past experiences: It is very useful to know about past support they have received and how that has affected them.
Urgency: Let us know what will happen if this referral is not made, or if the person feels things are getting worse.
At the end of the form, you’ll be asked to indicate whether the patient lives in Mendip, Sedgemoor, South Somerset, or Taunton & West Somerset. The referral will be sent to the OMH Locality Team in the area you select. Our multidisciplinary teams serve as community contact points for partnership working and are made up of Recovery and Wellbeing Workers, a Locality Lead, and a Locality Coordinator, who connect with the people referred to them and the OMH alliance as a whole to establish which services best address their needs.
Read some real-life stories of how the dedication of our Recovery and Wellbeing Workers transforms lives here >>
The teams offer more than just one-on-one help; they also deliver group sessions and courses, creating safe and friendly spaces for people to connect, learn new skills, and explore their interests alongside others.
Refer a Patient or Learn More About OMH
Our website has a dedicated section for healthcare professionals, with videos and guidance about the services we provide. To refer a patient, please complete our professional referral form.