Role of the Duty Worker

The duty worker, who may be a psychologist, a social worker, a psychiatric nurse, or an occupational therapist, will discuss with you what help you need immediately to deal with your problem.

The first step involves the duty worker asking you some questions about why you have contacted the service, whether you have used public mental health services before and how you think the service might help you.

Sometimes there may be other services available to you that may be more useful, such as a day program or your local doctor. If so, the duty worker will help you to contact these services.

If you require urgent attention overnight or on weekends, then the duty worker might suggest that the Crisis Assessment and Treatment (CAT) service should be contacted.

If you require the attention of the community mental health centre during business hours, then an appointment will be made for you to see someone to talk with. For example, you might need to see a doctor because you are not feeling well.