Local care services and referral pathways

Being aware of the local care services and referral pathways for mental health and anxiety in your area will enable you to signpost people living with an anxiety disorder to these sources of support where relevant.

Visit one or more of the following resources:

• NHS – How to find local mental health services
• NHS – Find mental health support services
• Hub of Hope
• The Best for you mental health support apps at ORCHA.

Making a list of the mental health services available, and their contact details, can be helpful. You can start by finding those in the following categories:

• Mental health services provided by local authorities such as the local council. This includes services such as helplines, crisis support and therapy including crisis cafes, crisis teams and crisis lines
• Local mental health charities
• Urgent mental health helplines
• Therapy and counselling services from the NHS
• Health education support, e.g., recovery colleges.

Some other options include:

• Exploring the different support that organisations offer, such as finding your local Mind services through their online search tool: mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds
• Asking your local GP practice. They might be able to provide information about, or refer people with an anxiety disorder to, local programmes such as social prescribing, green prescribing or ecotherapy.

Some programmes need a referral. This might need to come from the person’s GP, or a referral from another professional whom the person sees regularly might be accepted. Some programmes may be available through self-referral.