All the doctors in the practice see patients with mental health problems. If you think you are suffering from low mood, anxiety or any other mental health issue, please book an appointment with a GP, to discuss it further.
The practice keeps close ties with the Community Mental Health Team. This team consist of psychiatrists, psychologists, community psychiatric nurses (CPNs), and occupational therapists amongst others, and all patients are initially referred through a centralised system.
The Wellbeing Appointment
Are you feeling low in mood? Anxious? Struggling with sleep? Worried about a relationship, work or university?
If so you can now book a 30 minute ‘Wellbeing appointment’ with one of our Practice Nurses where they will spend time talking to you about your worries and concerns. They will try and help you identify ways to improve your mood and also help you navigate the resources available to help manage your mental health issues.
After seeing a GP they may refer you to one of these appointments but you are also able to book an appointment yourself via reception.
It would be helpful if you could fill out this Wellbeing Questionnaire then print and hand in prior to the appointment. If you do not have access to a printer then please ask at reception for a copy.
Antidepressant Medication
Not everyone will benefit from an antidepressant, and there is evidence to support their use in combination with other psychological therapies. There are several different types of antidepressant medications that the GP may suggest following a consultation. They work in different ways and, as with all medications, come with side effects. Please click on this link to find out more about antidepressant medication, and whether it is right for you.
Mental Health Emergency
If you are suffering with mental health problems and need to see a psychiatric specialist in an emergency out of hours, you can contact the Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS) at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital direct on 0131 537 6000 and ask for the Emergency Team. If it is within practice hours, please contact the surgery where a Duty Doctor will be available.
Counselling Services
If you feel you would benefit from counselling then please click here to find out about the various counselling services available in Lothian and how to access these. The majority of these do not require GP referral. Please note that counselling is not provided by the NHS but we can refer for psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Please click on the following links to find out more information about looking after your mental health:
