Reaching out into the community
Engagement where you feel comfortable
If you are looking for support for a child or young person, please visit our dedicated Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services pages.
The assertive outreach team works with an identified group of service users who have severe mental health problems and aren’t currently engaging effectively with mental health services.
We’re flexible, so people who aren’t comfortable accessing services can still receive help and support. We work with you in your own environment, or a place you feel happy to meet, to persuade you to keep connected to mental health support services.
We sometimes use housing departments, police stations, social security offices and inpatient lodges as meeting places.
Our team is made up of nurses, social workers and assistant practitioners. Our low ratio of service users to staff means we can work more closely and more intensively with you – sometimes as often as twice a day if required.
Engagement is the core concept of assertive outreach. It’s a vital component in the development of a therapeutic relationship between NAViGO and people with mental health illnesses.
How can I access assertive outreach?
The nature of assertive outreach means our referrals come from healthcare professionals rather than individuals.
GPs and other healthcare professionals can refer you to the assertive outreach team via the 24/7 Single Point of Access by calling (01472) 256256 and selecting option 3.
If you’re already a NAViGO service user, you should speak to your care coordinator in the Community Mental Health Team who will be able to discuss with us how we could assist you further.
If you’re in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call the Single Point of Access on (01472) 256256 and select option 3. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Alternatively, you can call NHS 111 free from a landline or mobile phone.