On this page you will find information on the Physical and Mental Health Services available in the Wakefield district and also links to helplines and websites offering useful information.

Physical health and mental health are two sides of the same coin, one affects the other and vice versa.  Improving our physical health can do a lot to improve our mental health and wellbeing. 

Physical health is anything that has to do with our bodies as a physical entity.  Your physical health can be affected by things like your use of alcohol, exercise (or lack of it), what you eat, sleep, smoking, sexual health and other factors.

Mental health can be defined as the balance between all aspects of life, social, physical, spiritual and emotional.  It impacts on how we manage our surroundings and make choices in our lives and is an integral part of our overall health.  Mental health is far more than the absence of mental illness and has to do with many aspects of our lives including; how we feel about ourselves, how we feel about others, and how we are able to meet the demands of life.

Some statistics about mental health will help to put things into perspective:-

• Mental health problems are found in people of all types young or old, rich or poor.
• 1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, and one in six experience this at any given time.
• Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain, with almost 9% of people meeting the criteria for diagnosis.
• Between 8% and 12% of the population experience depression in any one year.
• Men are more likely than women to have an alcohol or drug problem.  67% of British people who consume alcohol at hazardous levels, and 80% of those dependent on alcohol are male.  Almost three quarters of people dependent on cannabis and 69% of those dependent on other illegal drugs are male.
  
  (source: The Office for National Statistics, Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001))

In the Wakefield district there are three Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) situated in Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield.  The CAMHS service provides assessments and treatment for children, young people and their families with psychological, emotional development or behavioural disorders (see below for contact details).  Also see the Wakefield CAMHS Directory in Related Downloads for a list of support services.

Also across the Wakefield district there are five Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) who provide support to people with severe mental health problems who live in the community.  They are based in Wakefield North, Wakefield South (Horbury), Pontefract, South Kirkby and Airedale. To see their contact details and find out how the team can help you click on CMHT in Related Links.

The South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust is one of the largest specialist mental health trusts in the country, providing mental health and learning disability services to the people of Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.  To find a list of all the services provided by the Trust in Wakefield click on the Related Link.

Through the NHS Direct website you can get in depth information on a wide range of health topics covering physical and mental health.

If you are confused about what services are provided by the Wakefield District NHS Primary Care Trust and also other local health related organisations you should contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).  PALS is a free and confidential service which can be used by anyone.

The following are useful phone numbers:

• CAMHS (Castleford) - 01977 605526
• CAMHS (Pontefract) - 01977 606319
• CAMHS (Wakefield) - 01924 327604
• Mind - 01924 466486
• NHS Direct - 0845 4647
• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) - 0845 6024 832
• Social Care Direct - 0845 8503 503