Support for Mental Health
Support for Mental Health
Overview
Our vision is to enable people across the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) area to live full and positive lives within supportive communities.
The integration of health and social care is a key Scottish Government reform aimed at improving services for people who use adult health and social care. This approach ensures that services are joined‑up and seamless, particularly for people with long‑term and often complex needs, many of whom are older or living with a disability.
By integrating services, people are able to access the right support more quickly and easily, helping them to live safely, independently, and with dignity in their own homes for as long as possible.
The Integrated Mental Health Service sits within the HSCP. The service is overseen by two service anagers—one covering health services and one covering social work—both of whom report to the head of service for mental health and learning disability.
Health and social care staff work closely together to support individuals and families, delivering coordinated, person centred care within local communities across Forth Valley.
Eligibility
Mental health officers (MHOs) are qualified social workers who have additional legal responsibilities under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and related legislation.
Their role is to ensure that people are supported lawfully, fairly, and with respect for their rights, particularly where compulsory measures, safeguarding, or complex legal decisions may be required.
Who the MHO service is for
MHO involvement may be required where a person’s mental health needs give rise to legal, safeguarding, or rights‑based concerns, especially when:
- There are concerns about risk to the person or others
- Consent or decision‑making capacity is unclear
- Compulsory powers under mental health or incapacity legislation are being considered
- A statutory decision is required to protect the individual’s welfare or rights
Signposting
For further information and support, please refer to the Directory of Mental Health Supports.
Need more help or advice?
You can also find information on Scottish mental health laws by following the link given.
If you are worried about someone’s safety or wellbeing
You can:
- Contact your local social work services
- Speak to a health professional
- Contact the police if there is immediate danger
If you need urgent help
If you feel unsafe, at risk, or are worried about harming yourself:
Local support in Clackmannanshire
Mental Health Resource Centre
Clackmannanshire Mental Health Resource Centre functions as a specialist multi-disciplinary team who provide assessment and treatment for adults with severe and complex mental illness either in groups or on an individual basis, as well as support to their identified carers and families.
Referrals are accepted via GP or specialist secondary care mental health team. For more information, contact:
- Mental Health Resource Centre, Hallpark Road, Sauchie, FK10 3JQ
t: 01259 290343
e: fv.mentalhealthresources@nhs.scot
(this email address is not monitored at weekends and evenings. If you require urgent help, follow the urgent help advice above).
Self-harm Network Scotland (Penumbra)
- Free, compassionate support from trained practitioners with lived experience.
- Live web chat: Daily 6–10pm
- Self‑referral for one‑to‑one ongoing support
- Practical tools, safety planning and resources
Confidential helplines (not just for crisis)
Cost of living help and support
Debt advice
Self help resources (NHS Forth Valley)
Addictions
Children and young people
- SafeSpot
- YoungMinds
- Information and advice for young people, parents and carers
- Childline
- Confidential support for children and young people, available 24/7 for free, confidential support
- Tel: 0800 1111
Libraries
A range of recommended self‑help and guided self‑help resources are available for adults, children and young people.
Other help
- Speak with your GP for assessment, medication review, or referral to appropriate services or refer to online NHS support. Refer to our health services and organisations web page.
Other useful information
Service specifics
What laws do MHOs work under?
MHOs work within important Scottish laws. These laws help protect people’s rights, safety, and wellbeing.
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003
This law is about people who have a mental disorder, such as mental illness, learning disability, or dementia.
It allows the law to be used when someone:
- Needs urgent mental health care
- Might need to stay in hospital to keep themselves or others safe
- Needs compulsory treatment for their mental health
This law explains:
- When compulsory measures can be used
- How people’s rights must be protected
- The role of the Mental Health Officer (MHO)
More information:
Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
This law helps adults aged 16 and over who:
- Cannot make some decisions for themselves
- May have mental illness, dementia, learning disability, or brain injury
It makes sure that:
- Decisions are made in the person’s best interests
- The person’s wishes and feelings are considered
- Only the minimum help needed is used
It may involve:
- Guardianship arrangements
- Support with care, welfare, or treatment decisions
- Legal authority for others to act on the person’s behalf when necessary
More information:
Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007
This law helps adults who are:
- At risk of harm
- Unable to protect themselves
Harm can include:
- Physical harm
- Emotional harm
- Financial harm
- Neglect
MHOs may be involved if mental health issues affect a person’s safety.
More information:
Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
This law applies when someone:
- Is involved with the courts
- Has mental health needs linked to criminal proceedings
The court may order:
- Mental health assessment
- Treatment in hospital or the community
MHOs help make sure people’s rights are protected in these situations.
More information:
Process
When MHOs become involved
MHOs are usually involved in the following situations (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Considering or applying for compulsory mental health measures, such as:
- Emergency Detention Certificates (EDC)
- Short‑Term Detention Certificates (STDC)
- Compulsory Treatment Orders (CTO), including hospital or community based orders
- Reviews, extensions, recalls, or changes to compulsory measures
- Safeguarding concerns where mental disorder affects a person’s ability to protect themselves
- Situations involving serious risk, severe self‑neglect, or vulnerability
- Complex cases involving mental illness, learning disability, dementia, or related conditions where legal safeguards are needed
- Criminal justice situations such as court diversion or compulsion orders
- Overlap with the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, including consideration of guardianship or intervention orders
- Ensuring the person’s views, wishes, and rights are heard and that the least restrictive option is applied
MHOs work closely with health professionals, families, carers, and partner agencies to ensure decisions are necessary, proportionate, and person‑centred.
What the MHO service does not usually provide
MHOs do not normally provide:
- Routine mental health treatment or therapy
- Ongoing care coordination or case management
- General mental health monitoring
- Crisis response, unless it involves statutory duties
- Support where no legal or safeguarding framework applies
These supports are normally provided by Community Mental Health Teams, Primary Care services, Adult Care and Support services, or Justice Services, depending on the situation.
Referrals to the MHO service
MHOs are employed by the Local Authority, not the NHS. All referrals are therefore made through Clackmannanshire Council Social Work Services (t: 01259 452498/450000).
Referrals may be made by:
- NHS mental health services (community teams or hospital wards)
- GPs and Primary Care services
- Acute hospitals (eg Forth Valley Royal Hospital)
- Other social work teams
- Police Scotland
Referral is usually appropriate where:
- Informal support is no longer sufficient
- There is uncertainty about legal powers or responsibilities
- A statutory decision needs to be made urgently or safely
- There is disagreement between professionals about risk, capacity, or legal options