The service is intended for individuals aged 18 and older who have long-term mental health conditions and require interdisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation.

Individuals must have the mental and physical capacity to benefit from treatment provided by a mental health team. In some cases, individuals may need to achieve a certain level of stability before the need for interdisciplinary treatment by a mental health team can be assessed. The mental health teams place strong emphasis on attendance and active participation in services provided by the team. It is generally expected that individuals are engaged in no more than a 50 percent level of study and/or employment while receiving services from the mental health teams.

Mental health team services may be considered premature if:

• Parental leave is planned in the near future or a prolonged absence (for example travel abroad) is anticipated.

• A child or children do not have access to daycare.

• The individual has recently experienced a trauma or event that affects their ability to participate in team-based treatment.

The teams help individuals to:

• Build on strengths and areas of interest as an empowering pathway to recovery.

• Learn strategies to improve well-being and achieve balance.

• Increase understanding, resilience, and capacity to cope with mental health challenges.

Services offered include:

• Support to increase participation and restore social roles.

• Regular educational courses on mental health symptoms, individual basic needs, and the impact of trauma.

• Assessment of mental health status and service needs.

• Education and treatment for the individual and their family.

• Evaluation and guidance regarding psychiatric medication treatment.

Emphasis is placed on:

• Peer-based work and the involvement of individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges.

• Continuity of care and a holistic approach that considers factors affecting mental health.

• Collaboration with other institutions, service providers, and nonprofit organizations involved in the individual’s care.

Mental health teams are intended for individuals who require more intensive and specialized services than are provided at primary care health clinics.

The service is multidisciplinary and is delivered through individual appointments and educational sessions at the mental health team’s facilities.

The teams are guided by a holistic approach, considering all factors that affect an individual’s mental health.

The composition of professional disciplines may vary as needed. The teams typically include nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, sports scientists, social workers, family therapists, and occupational therapists, as well as service user representatives and an office manager.

The goals of the mental health team services are to:

• Promote and maintain recovery.

• Strengthen the psychological and social well-being of individuals and their families.

• Encourage self-care and self-respect.

• Support individuals in living meaningful and fulfilling lives.

• Reduce readmissions and strengthen coping and adjustment following discharge from hospital care.

The mental health teams are guided by a recovery-oriented philosophy.

The recovery philosophy emphasizes maintaining hope and creating a better life by building on an individual’s strengths.

This approach is based on collaboration with the person, where goals are set together and support is provided to promote personal responsibility and empowerment.

Mental health team east

• Head of department: Íris Dröfn Steinsdóttir

• Office manager: Ragnheiður Einarsdóttir

• Director of medicine: Oddný Ómarsdóttir

Mental health team south

• Head of department: Margrét Ófeigsdóttir

• Office manager:María Ósk Stefánsdóttir

• Director of medicine: Júlíus Ingólfur Schopka

Mental health team west

• Head of department: Hrönn Harðardóttir

• Office manager: Sara Bragadóttir

• Director of medicine: Ingólfur Sveinn Ingólfsson