Can you get a mental health assessment from your GP?
Yes, definitely. Many GPs are interested in mental health and lots of practices now have mental health workers available at the surgery.
This means that timely, specialist mental health help is often available close to home in the familiar environment of your GP surgery – without the need to wait to be referred to secondary (i.e. hospital-based) mental health services.
In some areas you can ask to see a primary care mental health worker at your GP surgery, without having to wait for a GP appointment.
Primary care mental health workers are healthcare professionals such as nurses who have specialist mental health training. They can help with a range of mental health needs. They can provide:
- Assessment of your needs
- Medication advice
- Support with issues such as anxiety, stress and poor sleep
- Signposting to other appropriate services.
