What guidelines should I follow for referring patients to public health services for mental health support?

Guidelines for referring patients to public health services for mental health support include the following key points:

• Use clinical judgement to assess risk and psychosocial needs; immediate referral to crisis resolution and home treatment teams is required if there is an immediate risk of self-harm or suicide. For other mental health disorders requiring specialist management, refer to community mental health teams and/or psychology services. For patients under 18, refer to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) ⁴.
• Refer adults and young people with psychosis or suspected psychosis, including those with coexisting substance misuse, to secondary care mental health services or CAMHS for assessment and management ⁵.
• For people with learning disabilities and suspected mental health problems, arrange referral to specialist mental health services or clinical psychologists as appropriate, following NICE guidelines on challenging behaviour and mental health problems ².
• When making referrals, explain to the patient why they are being referred, where to, and what service to expect, providing written information if available ³.
• Coordinate with other services involved in the patient’s care, including voluntary sector organisations, especially for complex cases such as coexisting severe mental illness and substance misuse ⁵.
• For students, facilitate first contact with adult services if transitioning from CAMHS, assist with safety planning, and signpost to appropriate support services including gambling harm services if relevant ¹.

Following these guidelines ensures timely, appropriate referral to public health mental health services, tailored to the patient’s age, diagnosis, and risk level.