Mental Health Services Hampshire

We know that mental health difficulties place a huge burden on an individual and their family, in terms of worry, relationships, time off work and difficulties with every day functioning.

We prioritise assessment, active treatment and support to get you back on your feet again.

We can help you with assessment and treatment of the following;

Anxiety
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) with or without co-morbid ASD
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Burnout
Depression
Medically unexplained symptoms
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Personality Disorders
Psychosis
Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Sleep problems
Womens mental health issues; PMDD, perinatal; menopause.

Services we offer

Mental health assessment, diagnosis and treatment

Follow-up reviews and support

Treatment reviews

Medication management for mental health conditions

Neuromodulation with FLOW and Nurosym as adjunct or potential alternative to medication

Transfer and takeover of ADHD care and management from other providers

Second opinions

Psychoeducation

Liaison with other services e.g. GP/ Occupational Health

Signposting to relevant services and resources

Corporate consultation, workshops, teaching and training on mental health related topics

We are a community based outpatient service. We do not provide a 24/7 crisis service. We currently do not undertake court report work. We do not see primary drug and alcohol problems or eating disorders.

If you think you are in a mental health crisis and at risk of serious harm, please contact NHS 111 which in Hampshire has mental health practitioners or your own GP.

Other 24/7 mental health resources for confidential support from trained volunteers;

Samaritans (free phone) 116123 This is a listening service.
SHOUT; text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. This is a text service to help de-escalate feelings of acute distress.
Both are staffed by trained volunteers.

Neuromodulation

Trans Cranial Direct Stimulation (tCDS)/Flow

Summary of benefits of tCDS/Flow:

Safe, effective, evidence based, alternative to medication for depression.
Can be used alongside current medication or therapy.
Device delivered to you at home, to use at a time and place convenient to you.
Low risk of side effects (about 5%) which are usually minor and temporary.
Once purchased, the Flow device can used again for any future or recurrent episodes.
Number and frequency of treatment sessions can be modified to your individual needs.
Free psychology developed psychoeducation programme included.
No absolute contraindications to its use in adults.

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What is tCDS and tCDS Flow?

tCDS is an established and effective treatment for depression (NICE approved). However, it has only recently been developed into a affordable and readily available device to give it. Flow is a tDCS headset. It has very few side effects compared with medication. It is easy to use and can be used by you at home.

How does tDCS /Flow work?

The headset is used in your own home and works by stimulating neurones via a low electrical pulse to the forehead. The treatment is given initially for 30 minutes, 5 times a week (activation phase); reduced after 3 weeks to 30 minutes twice a week for 10 weeks to 6 months (strengthening phase) depending on response.

You can connect the Flow App on your phone with your psychiatrist (with your consent) so that your psychiatrist can support you by monitoring improvement and identify, early, any problems, as well as make any modification of the treatment programme if needed.

Why use tDCS/Flow?

tDCS is a good alternative to medication or psychology or as an additional treatment option. It is licensed for use in depression and there are ongoing studies and clinical experience which indicate it can have wider benefits and use e.g. off license for bipolar depression and post-natal depression.

For further information see FAQS.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Summary of benefits of aVNS/ Nurosym:

Safe, effective, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative to medication for anxiety and physical complaints that have a high probability of an underlying inflammatory cause e.g. long COVID fatigue.
Easy to use.
Can be used alongside current medication or therapy, particularly to target residual symptoms.
Device delivered to you at home, to use at a time and place convenient to you.
Low risk of side effects which are usually local, minor and temporary.
Once purchased, the device can be used again for any future or recurrent episodes. Nurosym gives a 30-day money back guarantee if there has been no improvements.

Make An Appointment

What is aVNS/ Nurosym?

Nurosym is an FDA approved medical device which clips to your left tragus of the ear (the fleshy bit infront of the ear canal). It has a lead which sits over the back of your ear to connect to a rechargeable hand phone sized box which produces the electrical pulses. You can control the intensity and duration of these yourself.

How does aVNS/Nurosym work?

The Nurosym device can be used in your own home and at a time convenient to you. The recommended use is between 15 minutes to 1 hour twice a day. Benefits may be felt within 5 days and usually within 4-12 weeks, but additional benefits can be gained for up to 6 month of use.

Nurosym sends electrical pulses to your vagal nerve to regulate and enhance your parasympathetic system. The effect of this is to reduce body inflammation and restore balance in the autonomic nervous system between the parasympathetic (relaxing) and sympathetic (flight, flight and fright) sides.

Why use aVNS/ Nurosym?

aVNS maybe a good additional or even alternative treatment option to medication or psychology as part of a successful treatment package particularly if you have a number of inflammatory / stress linked conditions co-morbidly e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, fatigue, psoriasis and headaches.