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Community Mental Health Services

Non-urgent advice: NHS Ayrshire & Arran Mental Health Services

See our Mental Health Services section for details of our inpatient and forensic services, and how to access urgent mental health help via NHS Inform

In Ayrshire and Arran, there are a range of different supports available for mental health, wellbeing and mental illness.

Additionally, if you are worried about your own or someone else’s alcohol or drug use, there are local services available to help you find the right support when you need it.

Select your area below to find out about the services available to you locally:

South Ayrshire

East Ayrshire

North Ayrshire

Adult Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs)

The CMHT is a team of health and social care staff from a range of disciplines. We work together to offer assessment and treatment for adults who are experiencing complex mental health difficulties.

What you can expect from your first appointment

An assessment appointment is an opportunity for you to discuss your mental health needs. It may take more than one meeting to complete the assessment.

Following assessment the outcomes could include:

  • treatment tailored to your assessed need
  • information on the most appropriate service or agency to meet your needs
  • discharge

Appointments

Appointments are normally arranged between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

In some circumstances it may be necessary to cancel appointments at short notice. This happens rarely, but if we have to cancel your appointment, we will offer you a suitable alternative appointment.

If you cannot attend your appointment or it is unsuitable, it is important you contact your local team to discuss an alternative appointment.

If you no longer need your appointment, it is important to inform us in advance so that we can offer the appointment to someone else and reduce waiting time.

You can bring someone with you, if you think this may be helpful. However the clinician you are seeing may wish to see you on your own for part of the appointment.

Confidentiality

Your health records contain information about:

  • your health
  • any care or treatment you receive

These records are stored securely on computer. Following each appointment the team members involved in your care will add to your health records to keep an up-to-date record of your care.

In certain circumstances we may be required to share your information with other professionals and agencies. However your consent would be sought if a request to share information was made.

You can get further information about your rights from Health Rights Information Scotland at www.hris.org.uk / www.nhsaaa.net

Contact

There are three CMHTs – one each in East, North and South Ayrshire:

  • South Ayrshire CMHT: 01292 559777
  • North Ayrshire CMHT: 01294 470010
  • East Ayrshire CMHT: 01290 425947 or 01563 578592

The operating hours of each CMHT are generally from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

An area-wide service is provided on weekends and bank holidays to respond to urgent or crisis calls.

If support is required in crisis out of hours, call NHS 24 on 111.

Other useful numbers:

  • The Samaritans: 116 123
  • Breathing Space: 0800 838 587

Advocacy services:

  • North Ayrshire: 01294 608663
  • South Ayrshire: 01292 264396
  • East Ayrshire: 01563 574442