Unless you or someone you know has been through a mental health crisis, the acronym AMHP probably won’t mean a lot to you.

The initials stand for Approved Mental Health Professional and there’s a team of 60 working around the county to help keep people safe, support families and work with doctors and health services.

AHMPs play a key role in deciding what happens to somebody going through a mental health crisis. This crisis could be a deterioration in a long term condition such as psychosis or bipolar affective disorder or could be someone experiencing a response to personal circumstances which has had a major impact on their mental health.

The AMHP will carry out a Mental Health Act assessment to find out if someone needs more support, help from other agencies such as the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s crisis team or needs to be detained in hospital, voluntarily or under the Mental Health Act (commonly known as being sectioned).

Although doctors have to be present, the decision on whether or not to detain somebody can only be made if the AMHP decides it’s the right thing to do based on how the person is feeling, the thoughts they’re having, if they’re taking their medication or if they plan to harm themselves or others. The assessment will also include discussions with other professionals working with that person.

Last year the county council’s team of AMHPs carried out more than 1,000 assessments on people suffering from a mental health crisis, but detained only around two thirds.

People are only detained under the Mental Health Act if they’re suffering a mental disorder and pose a risk to themselves or others. In at least a third of cases, it’s decided that people can remain at home, but with more support from social workers and psychiatric nurses.

Since 2014, when all the agencies involved in crisis care signed up to the Crisis Care Concordat, the number of people arrested in Derbyshire who appeared to be experiencing mental health problems has gone down significantly – from 200 to just over 100 per year.

The Crisis Care Concordat is an agreement between local services and agencies involved in the care and support of people in crisis, including local authorities, housing, the police and health. It’s designed to prevent crises by offering 24-hour help to those in need, provide urgent access to crisis care, ensure clients are treated respectfully and with dignity and referrals are made to the appropriate services.

To find out more about the work of our team of AMHPs, speak to staff who have a stand in the foyer of County Hall, Matlock, on National AMHP Day, Thursday 29 June 2017.

You can find out more about mental health assessments on the Derbyshire County Council website.

We are asking local carers to share their experiences and participate in a year-long empathy project called 'A Mile in My Shoes'.

The project idea has been developed from work carried out by the Empathy Museum , which set up the first “A Mile in My Shoes” project to promote empathy by getting people thinking about what other people's lives are like. 

The museum set up a mobile ‘shoe shop’ where visitors are invited to walk a mile in someone else's shoes - literally. When members of the public visit the 'shoe shop' they're asked to choose a pair of unfamiliar shoes to walk a mile in, while listening to an audio recording of someone else’s life story (or a day in their life) through headphones. 

Last year, the Health Foundation teamed up with the Museum to develop a collection of stories from people using and working in health and social care services in the UK. This included parent carer Becky Wyatt who recorded her story

Adult Care would like to give local people the opportunity to step into the shoes of carers - and see the world through their eyes - by running a Derbyshire based “A Mile in My Shoes” project in the twelve months running up to Carers Week 2018. 

Volunteer carers will be recruited from across the county via the many groups and organisations for carers in Derbyshire, and by running an open recruitment programme through local and social media.  Proactive recruitment will be undertaken amongst communities of interest and other minority groups to ensure the voices of Derbyshire’s diverse populations are included.

Volunteers will be asked to do two things; firstly, they will be ask to choose a favourite pair of their shoes that they feel represents their lives for us to photograph and secondly, to make a short audio recording describing the good, the bad, the funny and the sad aspects of their life as a carer and any key messages they wish to share.  

Find out more and get involved!

You can find out more about the project and how to get involved on the Carers in Derbyshire website.

(image courtesy of the Empathy Museum website)

Our popular Time Swap scheme continues to go from strength to strength.

What do you like doing that could help others in your community? Do you need a bit of help yourself? Then why not find out more about Time Swap?

Earn time by helping and sharing skills & talents with a member in your community and then spend that time on something you would like help with or maybe you would like to learn something new? 

1 hour given = 1 hour back

Exchanges can include gardening, computer skills, cooking, sewing, basic DIY, dog walking, music lessons, cup of tea & chat etc.

Drop-in information sessions are being held around the county over the next few week - why not call in and have a chat with one of our Time Swap officers?

Or you can email: timeswap@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 532049

The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme that aims to help keep people with dementia or mental vulnerabilities safe.

 It has recently been introduced by Derbyshire Constabulary and other local agencies.

The Herbert Protocol initiative is named after George Herbert, a Second World War veteran of the Normandy landings, who lived with dementia and repeatedly went missing from his care home whilst trying to return home.

The protocol encourages carers of people with dementia or other mental vulnerabilities to prepare for the eventuality of the person going missing. Carers are asked to complete the Herbert Protocol form which asks for the type of information the police need to know when they start to look for a missing person who is vulnerable. In the event of an emergency, the carers can send/give the ready completed form to the police to reduce the time it usually takes the police to gather this kind of information.

The form records all vital details, such as what medication the person requires, mobile numbers of emergency contacts, previous addresses or important locations they may try and go back to and any other information which will help locate the person if they ever go missing. A recent photograph of the person should also be kept with the form.

Carers and family members are encouraged to complete the Herbert Protocol form in advance, ideally in addition to other carer emergency plans.

You can find out more about the Herbert Protocol on the Derbyshire Constabulary website where you will also find more guidance on how to use the form.  

We have been working to complete Herbert protocol forms for residents in our DCC care homes who meet the criteria.  We recommend that independent sector care and nursing homes also utilise the scheme to help keep their residents safe. Our missing persons policy has been updated to include the Herbert Protocol - if you/your organisation would like a copy of our policy for reference, please contact dawn.nash@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Mental Health Enablement Service

If you or someone you know is struggling with day-to-day life due to your mental health then our adult care workers may be able to help you. Please see our Enablement leaflet for further information. 

Recovery and Peer Support Service

The Recovery and Peer Support Service helps people with common mental ill health problems to recover and have control over their daily lives. People using the service can get together with their peers for mutual support and social activities. 

Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing

Our Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing gives a good overview of mental health services including crisis support and talking therapies.

Advocacy

Independent Community Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes and help to ensure your voice is heard. You may be having difficulties using public services or need help voicing what you want to say.

Independent Specialist Advocacy can support those who are hospital as an informal patient or have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, to understand their legal rights and have their voice heard in relation to their care and treatment.

Independent Specialist Advocates can also support people who lack capacity to make their own decisions or have no one to represent their views.

Things you can do to help people who are suicidal

Mental and emotional distress is everyone's business and we can all help to make a difference.  Here's how you can help...

• Stay calm
• Listen to what they have to say
• Take them seriously
• Check out their intention / do they have a plan?
• Don't keep serious concerns to yourself
• Be around for the person for the next few days or weeks if you can
• Tell the person where they can go for help
• For immediate attention call 999
• For non-urgent medical help call 111 or GP

 Helplines for Children and Young People

• Childline: 0800 1111
• Young Minds (parents helpline): 0808 802 5544
• Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours)

 Helplines for Adults

• Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours)
• Focus Line: 0800 027 2127 (Open 5pm to 9am, Monday to Friday, Weekends and Bank Holidays)
• NHS: 111

The Derbyshire Volunteer Passport has successfully trained over 3,000 volunteers, or those interested in volunteering, within Derbyshire.

It has evolved and been developed over the years to be a highly regarded course for anyone, of any age, to experience. 

We are delighted to announce that this scheme is now a joint scheme, funded and co-ordinated by both Adult Care and Childrens Services. 

We work in partnership with the voluntary sector, including volunteer centres, community volunteer services and voluntary agencies.

Anyone volunteering with children, young people or adults can now join together to undertake the new, joint Derbyshire Volunteer Passport. 

The key Derbyshire messages from both services will be shared with participants that affect both services e.g keeping yourself and others safe; equality, diversity and inclusion.  Communities will be strengthened with this intergenerational approach.  Resources, knowledge and skills will be shared across sectors and efficiency and sustainability ensured.

We have a new target of 200 volunteers for 2017/18.  Agencies or individuals can apply.

For more information please call 01629 539499 or email passport@derbyshire.gov.uk. 

We are updating our website page but you can still make contact or apply online.

A Multi-Agency Hoarding Framework (MAHF) has recently been developed and agreed by all primary stakeholders in Derbyshire and Derby City to ensure a collaborative, consistent multi-agency approach when dealing with cases of hoarding.

The MAHF, which can be found at http://www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/partner-information, (Username: partners, Password: uu34Ej), provides a clear protocol, information and guidance for professionals and agencies working with people who hoard and as such, is something I would recommend you make yourself familiar with and share with members of your team/department.

The Veterans Hub is open to all members of the Armed Forces, whether they are serving, retired, veterans or reservists 

Information event on Friday 30 June 10am to 12pm at:

Proact Stadium, East Stand, 1866 Sheffield Road, S41 8NZ 

A one-stop shop event for Armed Forces personnel and spouses including:

• Information and support
• Re-employment
• Volunteering
• Housing
• Health and wellbeing
• Funding
• Representation from the forces welfare charities.

 There is also a Spitfire flyover scheduled for 12 noon on the day of the event. 

Citizen's Advice are leading a public awareness campaign for Scams Awareness Month and have developed resources such as posters which can be downloaded from their website.

From the 10th to the 14th July there will be a scams/financial abuse information stand in County Hall reception, Smedley Street, Matlock.

Derbyshire Scamwatch and Adult Care will be providing information to the public at Ripley Market on Friday 14th July.

Recent pharmacy scam

We have been alerted to a scam that has involved a vulnerable Derbyshire Adult Care client. The client received a phone call allegedly from a 'pharmacy'. The caller said that in order to receive their medication prescription they now needed to make a payment and they were then asked to provide bank details, which fortunately they didn’t. Please alert people you work with to scams like this and remind them never to disclose their financial information.

Where to report scams 

Get advice from Citizens Advice Consumer Service, tel: 03454 04 05 06 or visit: www.adviceguide.org.uk 

Report scams and suspected scams to Action Fraud or tel: 0300 123 2040.  

Send potential postal scams with a covering letter to Royal Mail at FREEPOST Scam Mail, email: scam.mail@royalmail.com or tel: 03456 113 413. 

Report unsolicited marketing calls to the Information Commissioner's Office or tel: 0303 123 1113. 

 Register phone numbers with the Telephone Preference Service or tel: 0845 070 0707.  

The Mailing Preference Service (MPS) is free and can help reduce unsolicited mail by calling 0845 703 4599. 

Contact the Age UK helpline on tel: 0800 169 6565. Age UK also have a downloadable guide on recognising and dealing with all kinds of scams. 

Tell a trusted friend, relative or neighbour.

Support for victims of scams

Age UK Derby and Derbyshire has local branches around the county which can provide a wide range of help and support for older people. Residents can also call its helpline tel: 0800 169 6565. 

Think Jessica is a Derbyshire-based charity set up to help and support people affected by scammers and also to highlight the effects on victims. 

Victim Support offers free and confidential help to victims of crime and anyone else affected. Tel: 0808 1689 111. 

The Derbyshire Trusted Befriending Network aims to help isolated and vulnerable adults find befriending services. For more information email befriending@sdcvs.org.uk or tel: 01283 219761.