We’re still here to help if you need mental health support

06 Nov 20

Mental health and learning disability services at Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HFPT) will remain open this November following the national lockdown which began yesterday (5 November).

The Trust provides a webchat service, Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm. Clicking on the red circle, on the right hand side of HPFT’s website at: www.hpft.nhs.uk/ allows you to chat live online with a member of the helpline team, after providing your name and date of birth details, as well as a contact number and postcode.

Support is also still available over the phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on our freephone number: 0800 6444 101. There is another option to access our team of mental health professionals directly via the NHS 111 service. Selecting Option 2 for mental health services will automatically direct Herts callers to the 24/7 HPFT helpline team.

HPFT’s Executive Director of Service Delivery and Service User Experience Sandra Brookes said: “I’d like to reassure people in our community who are experiencing mental health problems, that you are not alone. We are still here to support you, if you need our help. We are doing everything we can to keep our staff and service users safe during this uncertain time.

“You can speak to a member of our helpline team at any hour of the day or night, if you are worried about your own mental health, or someone you care for. If you are one of our service users, you should attend your appointments as normal, unless you directly hear otherwise.”

Attend appointments unless you have any COVID-19 symptoms or are unwell

HPFT staff will contact our service users, if there are going to be any changes to the way we deliver our care and support, but otherwise services being received will continue as usual. Please attend if you already have an appointment, unless you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of COVID-19. In this case, please call either to rearrange your appointment, or to arrange alternative support over the phone or online.

All our sites have been risk assessed, to ensure they comply with all safety guidelines and our staff are wearing all the correct personal protective equipment. They are also using the latest technology to provide phone, video and online consultations where it is appropriate to do so. For face to face appointments, please wear a face covering and do not arrive more than five minutes before your appointment time. You can read more guidance on our website.

Whilst we recognise the importance of visiting, this is still being restricted and all visits to our inpatient and community sites are currently by prior arrangement only and subject to change at short notice.

Our IAPT Wellbeing Service continues to provide support to adults experiencing common mental health problems including depression and anxiety. The service offers free access to innovative digital, video and telephoned based talking therapies including a wide range of self-help webinars and resources. There is more information on the website. There are also some useful tips and advice for keeping well on the Every Mind Matters website.

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We’re still here to help if you need mental health support