The access, assessment and brief intervention service is for adults aged 18 to 65 needing community mental health services in the London borough of Redbridge. We focus on wellbeing and recovery and offer short term support with the aim of getting you back to where you want to be in life.

We provide an initial mental health assessment and once assessed we may:

• refer or signpost to other mental health services or organisations
• signpost to other services (e.g. social services)
• and/or offer brief intervention by the team for up to six months

If needed, we can offer:

• full assessment of mental health and social care needs
• access to a psychiatrist
• talking therapies and other psychological help
• advice and information
• crisis intervention
• psychiatric medication review if appropriate
• self-guided support
• support with social problems
• recovery and wellbeing approaches

We also provide a single telephone number for anyone enquiring about mental health services in Redbridge, urgent mental health assessment where needed, and management of referrals to other specialist mental health services.

Who works in our team?

• Nurses 
• Psychiatrists 
• Occupational Therapists
• Social Workers 
• Support Time Recovery Workers 
• Administrators 

Other useful resources

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
Self-referrals accepted 
Tel: 0300 5551220 

Samaritans 
Tel: 116 123

Redbridge Concern for Mental Health 
Tel: 020 8925 2435

Redbridge Health & Adult Social Care
Tel: 020 8708 7333

Redbridge Citizens Advice Bureau 
Tel: 020 8514 1878

In crisis and needing urgent support out of hours?
Contact Mental Health Direct (24 hours) on: 0300 555 1000

Contact our service in Redbridge

Redbridge access, assessment and brief intervention service (RAABIT)
Mellmead House
4 Orchard Close
Rodney Road
Wanstead
E11 2DH

Tel: 0300 300 1570 (option 1)
Email: RAA.Team@nhs.net
Opening times: 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

How can I be referred?

We generally advise that you go to your GP as a first port of call to see if they can offer you support. If needed, they can refer you onto our service. We also accept referrals from various other sources including self-referral. 

Once we receive a referral, we will make telephone contact with you within 6 weeks. If we are unable to get in touch, we send an opt-in letter which you will need to respond to if you need our service. 

From our telephone conversation, we try to work out what support you would benefit from and if needed, offer  you a face to face appointment at Mellmead House. 

If your query is urgent, you can contact our duty team for advice and support.

We try to ensure that our approach is friendly. If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.