The Brent Mind Contact Service is the One Stop Shop in North West London for enabling good mental health. We are a recovery orientated service that promotes wellness.

We have four main goals:

• To provide access to information about coping strategies, health information and self management
• To improve the accessing of services in Brent.
• To assist in recovery of personal independence
• To support in crisis management
  

The Contact Services provides free information, advice and support to people on all mental health matters. We offer direction and help.

Anyone concerned with mental health and well being can use our services.
The approach can be from someone who is experiencing difficulty. It can be from mental health professionals. Family and friends are welcome to contact us as are other interested parties such as employers. All enquiries are dealt with in strict professional confidence. Information is only shared by agreement.

We listen objectively, without prejudice and respond to the concerns raised. Our staff are trained and experienced community workers with extensive local knowledge and counselling skills.

We will then discuss what help is appropriate and agree a plan of action.
This may be attainable in the initial meeting or telephone call. It may require several contacts over a period of short weeks. In such cases the Contact Service and the client will agree a course to proceed, over what period of time and what are the preferred outcomes. We are not able to offer long term support but we will not leave work unfinished.

We work closely with community health teams, doctors, clinics, law centres, social groups, associations and any person or agency concerned with mental wellbeing. We will outline what each can provide and we will help with engaging with their services.

For people who have difficulty in expressing themselves we can provide initial advocacy.

We are steadily building a library of information about mental health.
This will include information (booklets and leaflets) about national and local services. We have an extensive internal directory on services that we can access for our clients. We will maintain a stock of journals, magazine articles, some reference books. Clients will be able to call on our knowledge of information available on the internet.

We are culturally aware and we are proactive in combating discrimination.
The Contact Service can arrange for interpreters and translators. We have established contacts with agencies and society representing the diverse nature of the community of Brent. Anybody, regardless of their refugee or asylum status, can call on us for support on mental health matters.

Call in or phone between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. Drop us a line or email us on info@brentmind.com

Our telephone line is 020 8451 3200 Line 5 or extension 263 (alternatives 221 /223)

F.A.Q.

Q. Will it cost me anything.
A. No, definitely not. The Contact Service project is funded until 2010 by the Big Lottery fund.

Q. Can you help me out with money.
A. Sorry, No. We can listen to your concerns and may be able to point you to or help you contact services that can address your needs.

Q. Will you come to my place.
A. It may be appropriate in certain circumstances for a staff member to accompany you to another agency or service. We call this outreach work. We will not be able to meet with you at your home.

Q. Can you help me with my housing /benefits /finding work.
A. We know that mental illness carries a lot of stigma that is reflected in these and other areas. We can advise and direct you to those services that should be able to help.

Q. I am worried about somebody who I do not really know. They seem to be very low /very loud /acting strangely and out of character. Am I being a busybody. Should I contact you.
A. Everyone is entitled to their own privacy and to behave as suits them if they are not causing harm. However, the fact that you are concerned shows you care. Why not call us for an informal chat and air your concerns in confidence.

Q. I do not have permission to stay in this country. What can I do.
A. Do call on us if you have concerns on any mental health matters. We will treat your disclosures in confidence. Do not let language be a barrier. We will find a way to communicate.