Mental Health Service Teams

Contents

Mental Health Officers

A Mental Health Officer is a specially trained social worker who assesses people with mental health needs, supports them, and helps coordinate their care.
 

What do Mental Health Officers do?

Mental Health Officers (MHOs) are specially trained social workers who protect the health, safety, welfare, finances, and rights of adults.

They are responsible for:

  • Assessing whether someone needs support or formal intervention
  • Preparing reports and applications for people who:
    • Have a mental disorder and lack capacity to make decisions about their welfare or finances
    • May need compulsory care or treatment, including possible hospital detention
    • Are involved with the justice system.

MHOs work within the Adult Social Work Service. They mainly support people aged 16 and over, but they may also become involved with children under 16 if they are referred through mental health legislation.

They work closely with professionals such as Psychiatrists, GPs, Community Mental Health Nurses, Solicitors, the Courts, and the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.
 

Legal Roles and Responsibilities 

For more details about the Mental Health Officer role and responsibilities, please use the links provided.

Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (legislation.gov.uk)

Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (legislation.gov.uk)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (legislation.gov.uk)

 

Who to contact?

Mental Health Support and Advice 

If you need immediate help or are worried about someone’s mental health, contact the East Lothian Mental Health Support Telephone Line first. You will speak with trained professionals who can give you information, advice, and support options after an initial conversation.

The support line is open Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm. 

Call: 0300 790 6292

Adult Social Work Services

If you a have a concern about an individual, friend or family member that you feel may be at risk, please contact the Adult Social Work Team on:

The Emergency Social Work Service

For emergencies outside normal social work office hours, call the freephone number: 0800 731 6969.

The Emergency Social Work Service is available:

  • Monday to Thursday: 4:45pm to 8:45am
  • Friday: 3:45pm to 8:45am
  • Public holidays: open 24 hours

Community based mental health support

For information on community‑based mental health and support services in East Lothian, visit the Eastspace Website.

Mental Health Officer Team

If you have been referred and need to make direct contact with one of the Mental Health Officers, please contact: