A Mental Health Officer (MHO) is a social worker who has the training, education, experience and skills to work with people who have a mental disorder. They are able to assess you and decide what services you need.
Some laws in Scotland require that the local council must appoint an MHO to work with you.
MHOs may have to assess whether someone:
- is detained under the Mental Health Act
- cannot manage their own welfare affairs under the Adults with Incapacity Act
How can I contact the Mental Health Officer (MHO) service?
The service is provided through a referral by medical staff such as doctors, and by social workers.
The duty MHO Service is available Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. It is closed on public holidays. The service operates from the Woodlands Resource Centre in Falkirk:
An out-of-hours service is available Monday to Friday, 5:00pm-9:00am, at weekends and on public holidays on: